Hyperlactatemia and hepatic abnormalities in 10 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients receiving nucleoside analogue combination regimens

Clin Infect Dis. 2000 Jul;31(1):162-6. doi: 10.1086/313912. Epub 2000 Jul 26.

Abstract

During a 6-and-a-half month period, we identified 10 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who were receiving antiretroviral regimens, including nucleoside analogues, and who developed unexplained reproducible hyperlactatemia in association with either abdominal symptoms or an unaccounted-for elevated alanine aminotransferase level, or both. After careful consideration of the possible etiologies, antiretrovirals were discontinued; lactate levels normalized in all patients. The estimated incidence of this phenomenon in our clinic was 20.9 cases per 1000 person-years of nucleoside analogue treatment. These observations extend the spectrum of the nucleoside analogue-induced lactic acidosis/hepatic steatosis syndrome by the identification of a subtle and perhaps earlier form, which has characteristic symptoms and laboratory abnormalities, and a favorable prognosis on discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis, Lactic / chemically induced*
  • Acidosis, Lactic / complications
  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / analysis
  • Anti-HIV Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nucleosides / adverse effects*
  • Nucleosides / therapeutic use
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Nucleosides
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
  • Alanine Transaminase