Albuminuria in HIV-infected patients

Albumin excretion, Analysis of urinary proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and clinical evaluation were performed in 90 HIV-infected patients to assess subclinical renal involvement in HIV infection. Thirteen percent of all patients showed an albumin excretion > 20 mg/liter. Seven of four homosexual patients had albuminuria. Albuminuria occurred exclusively with T4 cell counts below 200/mm3. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated glomerular lesions and showed no tubular proteinuria in patients with increased albumin excretion. It is concluded that subclinical renal involvement is not uncommon in HIV infection with T4 cell counts > 200/mm3. HIV-associated nephropathy and heroin-associated nephropathy may not be the main causes of renal involvement. In some cases, opportunistic viral infections may be the cause of microalbuminuria.