Sarcoidosis and HIV infection in a native Saudi man

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Oct 3:2018:bcr2018224386. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-224386.

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a rare condition among native Saudis. It typically presents with asymptomatic chest radiographs, exertional breathlessness and cough. The coexistence of sarcoidosis and HIV is also rare, and the overlap of the symptoms makes their differential diagnosis challenging. Nevertheless, the outcome of sarcoidosis is favourable with or without the presence of HIV. We present a case of a 55-year-old native Saudi man with extremely atypical sarcoidosis presentation coexisting with HIV. This case highlights the association between the two pathologies, and the difficulties encountered in establishing a proper diagnosis in the presence of two overlapping diseases.

Keywords: general practice / family medicine; hiv / aids; immunology; interstitial lung disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / methods
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sarcoidosis / drug therapy*
  • Sarcoidosis / pathology
  • Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone