Urological manifestations and management of human immuno-deficiency virus infection a review.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has become a pandemic with more than 40 million infected people worldwide. The virus attacks the immune system of the host thus exposing them to opportunistic infections in various systems of the body. The use of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has converted a previously lethal condition to a chronic condition with relatively benign cause. This has allowed infected patients to live longer than before. Though beneficial, however, this has been associated with increased incidence of complications seen in these patients involving many systems. Urogenital system is not an exception to this and indeed is a common site for these complications. Urological symptoms or signs are often seen in HIV patients and sometimes appear as the first indicator of the disease. These manifestations can be benign or malignant, infective or non-infective, disease or drug-related. Their appearance may also be a pointer to the deterioration of the infection into a full blown AIDS. It is therefore important that every doctor has a good knowledge of the possible urological manifestations of the disease. Early recognition and prompt treatment of these complications may be of prognostic significance as they may produce significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated. This article highlights the clinical features and management of common urological manifestations of HIV.