Abstract
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), one of the
most devastating infectious diseases to have emerged in recent
history is characterised by impairment of cellular immunity with
severe reduction in T-helper cells. Complications of AIDS include
opportunistic infections, unusual neoplasms and unexplained
lymphadenopathy. Hematological abnormalities “involving all
the three lineages of blood cells” are among the most common
complications of AIDS infection. Hundred cases of HIV patients
were studied for various cytopenias and bone marrow changes.
Cytopenias was seen commonly in HIV patients, most frequently
anemia (97%), followed by thrombocytopenia (40%) and leucopenia
(34%). Dyspoietic cells were seen in all lineages, in bone marrow
study. Megakaryocyte dyspoiesis was seen in 91% cases on bone
marrow biopsy (BMB), whereas bone marrow aspirate showed
erythroid dyspoiesis in 75% cases and myeloid dyspoiesis in 45.8%
cases. BMB showed atypical lymphoid aggregates in 11% cases and
abnormal cells were seen in 9% cases. Granuloma was seen in 22
cases on BMB, out of which 8 cases showed AFB positivity and one
case showed intracellular yeast form suggestive of histoplasma.
The study showed disparity between peripheral cytopenias
and marrow hyperplasia which suggests mechanisms of either
ineffective hematopoiesis, abnormal release or increased peripheral
destruction.
Keywords: HIV; AIDS; Hematological changes, Bone marrow
changes; Cytopenia; Dyspoiesis.