AIDS associated bronchiectasis: CT features

The occurrence of bronchiectasis has only rarely been noted among the protean manifestations of HIV infection in the lungs. We retrospectively identified bronchiectasis on CT scans in 12 HIV + and/or AIDS patients in the absence of either documented mycobacterial infection or a history of prior recurrent pyogenic infection. Pneumonitis was documented in 10 of 12 cases. In eight cases, bronchiectasis was associated with episodes of pyogenic infection; four of these patients also had documented opportunistic infections, including three cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Two patients had infection due solely to PCP. In two cases, bronchiectasis was found in association with one case each of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis and nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis, respectively. Although the true incidence of bronchiectasis in this population remains to be established, in our experience bronchiectasis should be considered among the varied pulmonary manifestations of HIV infection. Furthermore, the seemingly rapid development and extent of bronchiectasis in this population suggest an accelerated form of the disease.