[Acute pancreatitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome]

Viral acute pancreatitis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients has been occasionally described. We studied nine patients with HIV antibodies and acute pancreatitis attributed to Cytomegalovirus and/or Cryptosporidium infection. In four patients the clinical picture was consistent with acute pancreatitis while in five clinical manifestations were unspecific, and diagnosis was based on ultrasonography and/or computed tomography findings. In the HIV infected patient pancreatic evaluation by imaging techniques may disclose acute pancreatitis even in the absence of abdominal pain.