The methods of therapy ESRD patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus-HIV
Gozdowska, J.; Durlik, M.
Przeglad Lekarski 65(2): 82-86
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2240 PMID: 18663906 Document Number: 617527
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic has spread to every country in the world and has infected about 60 million persons worldwide, including 20 million who have already died. In Poland are infected 11,181 people. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HART) has significantly prolonged the survival of HIV-positive patient. HIV infection can cause end-stage renal disease (ESRD) through both HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) and antiretroviral drug toxicity. Until recently, chronic dialysis (HD or PD) was the only form of treatment available for these patients. Kidney transplantation is an alternative method to dialysis and improve the quality of life in HIV-positive ESRD patients. In this article authors present the general information about HIV infection (epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment) as well as methods of therapy ESRD like hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and kidney transplantation.