Strategies for the treatment of AIDS-associated sclerosing cholangitis

Abstract

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is occasionally associated with abnormalities of the biliary tract (1). For one of these abnormalities, AIDS-associated sclerosing cholangitis, there are no effective therapeutic measures available (2, 3). We studied 9 patients who had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS-associated cholangiopathy who were selected on the basis of clinical manifestations, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, and ultrasonographic abnormalities. Of these patients, 6 were men and 3 were women, with a mean age of 29 years (range, 21 to 56 years). Eight patients had right upper quadrant pain and diarrhea, and 1 patient was asymptomatic.