Journal Article

Mechanisms of liver disease in patients infected with HIV

Kaspar, Matthew B, Sterling, Richard K

2017

Overview

ObjectiveTo describe the various mechanisms of liver disease in patients with HIV infection, and to link these mechanisms to disease states which may utilise them.BackgroundNon-AIDS causes of morbidity and mortality are becoming increasingly common in patients chronically infected with HIV. In particular, liver-related diseases have risen to become one of the leading causes of non-AIDS-related death. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms driving the development of liver disease in these patients is essential when evaluating and caring for these patients.MethodsThe literature regarding mechanisms of liver disease by which different disease entities may cause hepatic injury and fibrosis was reviewed and synthesised.ResultsA number of discrete mechanisms of injury were identified, to include: oxidative stress, mitochondrial injury, lipotoxicity, immune-mediated injury, cytotoxicity, toxic metabolite accumulation, gut microbial translocation, systemic inflammation, senescence and nodular regenerative hyperplasia. Disease states may use any number of these mechanisms to exert their effect on the liver.ConclusionsThe mechanisms by which liver injury may occur in patients with HIV infection are numerous. Most disease states use multiple mechanisms to cause hepatic injury and fibrosis.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd,BMJ Publishing Group LTD,BMJ Publishing Group
• Subject: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome / AIDS / Antiretroviral drugs / cirrhosis / Hepatitis / Hepatology / HIV / Human immunodeficiency virus / Liver cirrhosis / Liver diseases / liver fibrosis / Mortality