La Revue de médecine interne
-
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection represents a risk factor for thrombotic microangiopathy. HIV-associated thrombotic microangiopathies encompass two entities with distinct pathophysiology, clinical presentation, treatment and prognosis. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with human immunodeficiency virus is typically characterized by a sudden onset in a patient with a moderate immune deficiency and a few events of opportunistic diseases, and a profound acquired deficiency in the von Willebrand factor cleaving protease ADAMTS13. ⋯ On the opposite, HIV-associated thrombotic microangiopathy with a progressive onset that occurs in profoundly immunocompromised patients with past history of multiple opportunistic diseases usually have a detectable ADAMTS13 activity and a worse prognosis. Usual treatment is poorly efficient. Forthcoming studies should assess the role of immunomodulatory drugs such as rituximab in the setting of HIV-associated thrombotic microangiopathy, and identify possible risk factors associated with the occurrence of these diseases.
-
New recommendations for screening of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy, updating those of 2002, have been recently published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. These recommendations have been necessary because of new knowledge about the prevalence of toxicity and because of improved screening tools. ⋯ It is now recommended to perform fundus examinations with 10-2 automated fields, and whenever possible, at least one objective test including multifocal electroretinogram, fundus autofluorescence or spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). A baseline examination is advised as a reference and then, annual screening should be initiated no later than 5 years after starting hydroxychloroquine therapy.