Hypothyroxinemia in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Abstract

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a disease predictive of a defect in the cell-mediated immunity, is caused by the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV).1'1 Infection with this virus results in a gradual but progressive deterioration of immune function leading to disease manifestation. The syndrome is characterised by generalised infection and lymphad- enopathy, and is often associated with multisystem disorders. Patients with AIDS have been reported to have a high frequency of endocrine abnormalities, mostly affecting the adrenal gland, but also the thyroid and other endocrine organs.4-8 These lesions may result from necrosis, infection of the organs, or malignant transformations, presenting as Kaposi sarcomas