[AIDS and non Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma disclosed by massive hematemesis]

A 40-year-old man was admitted for a major haemorrhage from the upper gastro-intestinal tract. An emergency gastrectomy was performed to control the bleeding. The histopathological study revealed a non-Hodgkinian lymphoma associated with an AIDS, which had remained unknown. The postoperative period was complicated by several infections. The patient died 2 1/2 months after the hematemesis. Such major haemorrhage from the upper gastro-intestinal tract as the presenting symptom of AIDS is very rare, although this has been described during the course of the disease. This case illustrates the importance in reminding operating theater staff (anaesthetists, surgeons, nurses) of the risk of viral contamination when treating a young patient with hematemesis and the necessity of wearing gloves, face masks and glasses.