Benign and Malignant Lymphoproliferative Disorders in HIV/AIDS

Owing to the striking lymphotropsism exhibited by the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV/AIDS patients demonstrate a wide breadth of both benign and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. These disorders span the spectrum from viral lymphadenopathy to lymphocentric opportunistic infections to proliferations of uncertain and frankly malignant potential. This chapter explores a number of the many possible HIV/AIDS associated disorders from the perspective of the lymphoid system. Notably, some of these disorders are themselves AIDS defining illnesses while others are entities known to occur frequently in the HIV/AIDS population but not directly influenced by HIV infection. In most cases, HIV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders are thought to result from an aberrant host immune response in the context of chronic inflammatory stimulation rather than as a direct consequence of HIV infection.