Peliosis hepatis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Abstract

We report two cases of peliosis hepatis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Hepatic tissue, obtained by needle biopsy from one patient and at postmortem examination from a second patient, demonstrated lesions grossly and microscopically consistent with previous descriptions of peliosis. Peliotic lesions were also identified in the spleen and porta hepatis lymph nodes in the second case. In at least one of the cases, peliosis was thought to play a significant role in the patient's morbidity and ultimate demise. Peliosis hepatis should be included in the differential diagnosis of hepatic disease among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.