abacavir and Mitochondrial-Myopathies

The primary goal of the highly active antiretroviral treatment is to improve HIV-infected patient immune function through maintaining viral suppression. However, this treatment may lead to adverse events, some of them potentially serious. This article emphasizes on the antiretroviral therapy associated adverse events and their management recommendations, especially for serious or potentially life-threatening cases. Adverse events analyzed in this article include side effects derived from mitochondrial toxicity, abacavir hypersensitivity reaction, hepatotoxicity, skin rash and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, increased bleeding episodes in hemophilic patients and nephrotoxicity. In some cases, a high suspicion is needed because the onset symptoms may be unspecific.

Topics: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Dideoxynucleosides; Exanthema; Hemorrhage; HIV Infections; Humans; Liver Failure; Mitochondrial Myopathies; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

To report a case of blepharoptosis in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with biopsy confirmed mitochondrial deletions consistent with HAART related myopathy.. A 51-year-old man with HIV demonstrated visually significant ptosis after being on HAART therapy for over 20 years.. Muscle tissue biopsy following blepharoplasty was analyzed and found to have significant mitochondrial deletions.. This patient represents a case of isolated ptosis consistent with acquired myopathy secondary to mitochondrial dysfunction without systemic manifestations otherwise seen in inherited mitochondrial disorders.

Topics: Alkynes; Anti-HIV Agents; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Benzoxazines; Blepharoptosis; Cyclopropanes; Didanosine; Dideoxynucleosides; DNA, Mitochondrial; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mitochondria, Muscle; Mitochondrial Myopathies; Oculomotor Muscles