Viral infection including HIV and AIDS

Viruses have long been considered candidates for infectious etiologic agents or cofactors in the development of rheumatic diseases. The current epidemic of HIV infection has focused both scientific and lay interest on identifying such agents and understanding their role in precipitating and perpetuating disease. During 1992, the role of hepatitis C virus infection in cryoglobulinemia was further defined. Interest in members of the Herpesviridae family was raised. The potential for postvaccination rubella arthritis was popularized. Additional clinical presentations of parvovirus B19 infection were described. Studies in patients and in vitro continued to provide tantalizing clues to the possible role of retroviruses, both exogenous and endogenous, in rheumatic disease. This review highlights efforts made during the past year to elucidate the role of viral infection in rheumatologic disease.