HIV-associated renal disease - an overview

The cause of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in South Africa (SA) was worsened by the denial by key political players that HIV causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). South Africa continues to have the highest rate of HIV world-wide, which has had a huge impact on the development of both chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. Fortunately, there is now an effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) roll-out program. SA is also dealing with a collision of epidemics of HIV, tuberculosis, and non-communicable disease, particularly hypertension and diabetes. This has been evidenced by recent data seen in the reinstated SA renal registry. There is also an unacceptably high rate of tuberculosis in regions of SA, this has led to high rates of granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN) and case reports of TB-GIN immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) remains common in SA and responds well to ART. The definitive diagnosis requires a renal biopsy, which is often not possible in many regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, there is still a high rate of HIVAN in SA due to late presentation and lack of effective screening for renal disease in HIV-positive patients. Transplantation for HIV-positive donors to positive recipients offers a unique and encouraging way forward for these patients.