Autopsy findings in a Japanese patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

A 37-year-old Japanese man was diagnosed as having acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) on the basis of a homosexual history, generalized lymphadenopathy, marked decrease of helper/inducer T cells in the peripheral blood, and positive serum antibody (antibodies) against human immunodeficiency virus (human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus). Autopsy showed severe depletion of lymphocytes in the lymphoid organs including the systemic lymph nodes, spleen, and gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and adrenal cytomegalovirus infection ('necrotizing adrenalitis') were identified, but there was no neoplasm. Postmortem findings in AIDS were reviewed in the literature.