Superficial thrombophlebitis: A new clinical manifestation of the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a patient with HIV infection

Am J Dermatopathol. 2010 Dec;32(8):846-9. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181d88d2e.

Abstract

Skin manifestations of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in response to highly active antiretroviral therapy may account for up to 50% of the clinical presentations in this syndrome. Viable or dying infective antigens, host antigens, tumoral antigens, and others may target immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, resulting in a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. We describe a 26-year-old HIV-infected man who had started highly active antiretroviral therapy a few months earlier. He developed multiple linear nodules following the superficial veins in both legs. Histopathologic examination demonstrated a mostly septal panniculitis with features of superficial thrombophlebitis. We propose that superficial thrombophlebitis should be added to the list of clinical manifestations of this newly observed immune restoration disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / adverse effects
  • Biopsy
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome / etiology*
  • Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome / immunology
  • Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome / pathology
  • Male
  • Panniculitis / etiology
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Thrombophlebitis / etiology*
  • Thrombophlebitis / immunology
  • Thrombophlebitis / pathology