Letter to the Editor

Lactic Acidosis During Nucleoside Antiretroviral HIV Therapy

Authors: Fares J. Khater, MD, Souad Youssef, MD, Said B. Iskandar, MD, James W. Myers, MD, Jonathan P. Moorman, MD

Abstract

Morbidity and mortality associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have decreased with the administration of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in the setting of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, the use of NRTIs has been increasingly recognized as a cause of lactic acidosis. We report a case of fatal NRTI-induced lactic acidosis that occurred 4 months after stavudine, didanosine, and tenofovir were initiated.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Freiman JP, Helfert KE, Hamrell MR, et al. Hepatomegaly with severe steatosis in HIV-seropositive patients. AIDS 1993; 7: 379–385.
 
2. Falco V, Rodriguez D, Ribera E, et al. Severe nucleoside-associated lactic acidosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: Report of 12 cases and review of the literature. Clin Infect Dis 2002; 34: 838–846.
 
3. Moyle GJ, Datta D, Mandalia S, et al. Hyperlactataemia and lactic acidosis during antiretroviral therapy: Relevance, reproducibility and possible risk factors. AIDS 2002; 16: 1341–1349.
 
4. Carr A. Lactic acidemia in infection with human immunodeficiency virus. Clin Infect Dis 2003; 36 (Suppl 2): S96–S100.
 
5. Coghlan ME, Sommadossi JP, Jhala NC, et al. Symptomatic lactic acidosis in hospitalized antiretroviral-treated patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: A report of 12 cases. Clin Infect Dis 2001; 33: 1914–1921.