Deterioration of disseminated cutaneous Mycobacterium avium complex infection with a leukaemoid reaction following institution of highly active antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

Editor,—The impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the incidence of opportunistic infections (OI) in HIV infected patients has been well documented. HAART also frequently alters the clinical course of OI. Increasingly, immune reconstitution disease is recognised after starting HAART in patients with latent or established OI.1–3 Despite the marked reduction in incidence of disease due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in the HIV infected population over the past 5 years, this OI is often implicated in immune reconstitution disease and may be difficult to treat.1, 3 Focal mycobacterial lymphadenitis appears to be the commonest manifestation,1, 3 but other organs may be involved. A 40 year old white …