Thoracic manifestations of immune restoration syndromes in AIDS.

Immune restoration syndromes (IRS) in AIDS constitute a group of illness characterized by a pathologic inflammatory response in patients with late-stage AIDS who start highly active antiretroviral therapy. Although there is no standardized definition or therapy, IRS have partial immune restoration associated with an increase in their CD-4 cell count and a decrease in their viral load. Patients with IRS show a paradoxical reaction that is, clinical worsening rather than improvement on therapy, associated with a recognized or occult infection.