Haematological Manifestations of HIV Infection

Haematological abnormalities are common in patients with HIV infection. Patients may present with isolated or multilineage cytopenias due to ineffective haemopoeisis or increased peripheral destruction. The abnormalities are more severe in advanced stages of disease. The pathophysiology is complex as the causes are often multifactorial. HIV infection itself is the cause of most dysfunction, but this is compounded by opportunistic infections, inflammation, malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies, malignancy and drug toxicity. Earlier treatments regimens were associated with more hematological side effects, but these have decreased with newer regimens.