Renal dysfunction in HIV-1-infected patients

Improved therapy directed against opportunistic infection and HIV-1 itself has resulted in greatly enhanced patient survival in the past decade among patients infected with HIV-1. Since patients are living longer, HIV-1 infection is associated with a rising burden of kidney disease. Approximately 14% of black patients and 6% of white patients dying with HIV-1 infection in 1999 in the United States had renal disease. Overall, 10% of patients dying with HIV-1 infection had renal failure. The most common glomerular diseases are focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and immune complex glomerulonephritis. Appropriate therapy for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis includes effective antiretroviral therapy and angiotensin antagonist medication. Drug toxicity is also common, often manifesting as electrolyte abnormalities, acute renal failure, interstitial nephritis, or nephrolithiasis. In particular, indinavir is associated with crystalluria, nephrolithiasis, interstitial nephritis, and lower urinary tract inflammation. Appropriate screening for renal disease and appropriate intervention will likely reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with progressive renal disease.