[Nephrologic aspects of HIV infection]

The authors present a review of nephrological complications of HIV infection. The latter can be divided into electrolyte disorders and disorders of the water balance, acute renal failure, non-specific affections of the glomeruli, tubules and renal vessels and so-called HIV nephropathy. While the three former groups of complications are non-specific, coincidental, HIV nephropathy is obviously a specific complication of HIV infection. It is characterized by the nephrotic syndrome with rapid progression to irreversible renal failure. As to the histological appearance, it is focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Survival of asymptomatic HIV infected patients in a dialyzation programme does not differ from other patients. The prognosis in case of developed AIDS is, however, unfavourable. Transplantation of HIV positive donors and recipients is not recommended. The authors present also basic data on the possible nephrotoxicity of the most frequently used preparations in the treatment of HIV infected subjects.