Hematologic Complications of HIV Infection

Treatment of HIV-infected patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has altered thenatural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by decreasing the frequency ofopportunistic infections and altering the expected frequency of hematologic complications andAIDS-related malignancies. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and thrombosis resulting fromprotein S deficiency are relatively rare complications of HIV in the United States in patients takingHAART, but are frequent in the developing world where these drugs are not available. Cytopenia,particularly anemia, are more common and result both from bone marrow failure and peripheraldestruction. Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are still problematic in patients with advanceddisease with high viral loads. This review will examine and discuss the diagnosis and managementof the hematologic complications of HIV.