Vasculitis in HIV: report of eight cases.

Objective: To describe vasculitis in HIV patients, their CD4 levels, anatomical sites affected and clinical patterns.

Design: Prospective, descriptive study.

Setting: Kisumu District Hospital and Nairobi Rheumatology Clinic between January 2002 and May 2005.

Subjects: Eight patients with HIV and vasculitis.

Results: Eight patients (four males and four females) were recruited with an age range of 24-61 years, mean 33.13 years. Five had central nervous system vasculitis and three had peripheral vasculitis. The CD4 counts were low, range 2-200 cells/mm3 (mean of 79.25 cells/mm3), normal levels of CD4 are 355-1298 cells/mm3, indicating severe immunosuppression. Two patients tested positive for HBV (hepatitis B virus).

Conclusion: HIV associated vasculitis is recognised and may be complicated by coinfection with hepatitis viruses. It occurs at low CD4 counts. Central nervous system involvement is a common site. Management is multidisciplinary.