Rheumatoid arthritis complicated by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus and the development of Sjögren's syndrome.

A patient with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis became infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through heterosexual transmission. After the primary phase of the HIV infection, persistent lymphadenopathy, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia developed. Over the ensuing 3 years, the signs and symptoms of inflammatory polyarthritis completely disappeared, and severe Sjögren's syndrome developed. HIV and its associated immune dysfunction may be responsible for these events.