Hodgkin's disease in HIV-infected patients

Eight patients with Hodgkin's disease who were seropositive to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 6 of them being heroin addicts and one a homosexual, were studied. Histological examination showed 4 cases of lymphocytic depletion, 2 cases of mixed cellularity, 1 nodular sclerosis, and one not classifiable. There were five cases of stage IV-B and 3 IIIs-B. The response to treatment was poor, with disproportionate cytopenia and severe infectious complications. We suggest that the atypical nature of Hodgkin's disease in patients who are seropositive for HIV might be considered to be a part of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).