Value of liver biopsy findings in AIDS patients.

ABSTRACT

From the year 1997 to 2000, 146 liver biopsies were performed in 140 AIDS patients, admited to Bamrasnaradura hospital with prolonged fever (73.6%), hepatomegaly (71.4%) and abnormal liver function test (69.3%) being the principle indications. The findings of liver biopsies included TB (18), MAC (14), Cryptococcosis (10), Histoplasmosis (6), Penicillosis (4), CMV (2) and 7 granulomas in which no organism was identified. Opportunistic infections were found in 61 of 146 biopsies (41.8%). Neoplasm was seen in 22 biopsies (15.1%); the most common neoplasm was hepatocellular carcinoma, found in 16 biopsies (11%). Other findings included chronic active hepatitis (3), cirrhosis (3) and alcoholic hepatitis (1). The liver biopsy is a helpful diagnostic tool in AIDS patients with prolonged fever, hepatomegaly or abnormal liver function tests.