The fatty liver in AIDS.

Steatosis or fatty liver in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may result from HIV itself, the use of nucleoside analogues, concurrent infection with hepatitis B or C, alcohol use, diabetes mellitus, obesity, or combinations of these factors. Nucleoside analogues have been the focus of increasing concern, because several fatal cases of severe macrosteatosis, lactic acidosis, and hepatomegaly have been linked to the use of nucleoside analogues. Other classes of antiretroviral drugs, as well as opportunistic infections, can also cause hepatic injury without steatosis. The additive effect of these different risk factors, especially in the presence of underlying hepatic steatosis, likely contributes to the increased prevalence of hepatic abnormalities among HIV-infected individuals. The conditions under which some patients rapidly progress to hepatic failure and/or cirrhosis need to be defined. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.