Adrenal function in HIV infected patients

Abstract

1. Adrenal insufficiency does not seem very frequent in group IV patients and is likely to be a late complication in AIDS. 2. The increased ACTH and basal cortisol levels found in group II and group III patients argue for an early dysregulation of the adrenocortical axis in HIV infection. The exact physiopathological mechanism is not yet known, but an enhanced CRH production by interleukin 1 and/or a direct role of the HIV envelope glycoprotein (gp 120) may explain the high ACTH level in HIV patients.