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Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models
Published on: December 3, 2019
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Acute HIV presenting as rhabdomyolysis.
Aleem Azal Ali1, Lauren Stemboroski1, Malleswari Ravi2
1Gastroenterology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
BMJ Case Reports
|October 4, 2023
Summary
Acute HIV infection can cause rhabdomyolysis, a condition of muscle breakdown, and acute kidney injury in young adults. This case highlights the importance of considering HIV in unexplained rhabdomyolysis presentations.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
Background:
- Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome characterized by muscle breakdown.
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of rhabdomyolysis.
- Unexplained rhabdomyolysis necessitates a thorough diagnostic investigation.
Observation:
- A previously healthy man in his early 30s presented with fatigue, chest and abdominal pain, anorexia, and vomiting.
- Initial investigations revealed rhabdomyolysis, AKI, and elevated liver enzymes (transaminitis).
- No obvious risk factors or inciting events for rhabdomyolysis were identified.
Findings:
- Extensive diagnostic workup identified acute Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection as the cause of the patient's rhabdomyolysis.
- Acute HIV infection can manifest with a wide range of symptoms, including those mimicking other systemic illnesses.
- This case underscores a rare but significant association between acute HIV and rhabdomyolysis.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider acute HIV infection in the differential diagnosis of unexplained rhabdomyolysis, particularly in young adults.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of HIV are crucial to prevent severe complications like rhabdomyolysis and AKI.
- This case expands the spectrum of known clinical presentations associated with primary HIV infection.
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