Medline ® Abstracts for References 37-39

Two homosexual men were initially seen with polymyositis as the only manifestation of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) retrovirus infection. They developed AIDS-related complex a few weeks later and typical AIDS two to six months after onset of muscle weakness. By use of anti-human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III antiserum and monoclonal antibodies to lymphocyte subsets in an immunofluorescence technique, viral antigens were found in the OKT4-positive lymphoid cells surrounding muscle fibers and invading the endomysia septa. We concluded that an initial infection with the AIDS retrovirus can be associated with polymyositis, which may be the first clinical manifestation of an impending AIDS-related complex or AIDS.

Neuromuscular disorders reported in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection include several forms of peripheral neuropathy and polymyositis. We report 11 patients with HIV-associated myopathy. Five patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), 2 with AIDS-related complex, and 4 otherwise asymptomatic HIV-infected patients developed progressive proximal muscle weakness. Serum creatine phosphokinase levels were elevated and electromyography revealed abnormal spontaneous activity and myopathy in most patients. All 8 muscle biopsy specimens showed fiber necrosis. Four had inflammatory infiltrates, and nemaline rod bodies were prominent in 3. Immunosuppressant therapy in 5 patients resulted in improvement. Attempts at viral localization in 4 muscle biopsy specimens were unsuccessful. These findings suggest a distinct association between HIV infection and myopathy with features atypical for polymyositis.