Diffuse Pancreatic Inflammation in an HIV Infected Individual With Elevated IgG4 Levels

Abstract

Even though, acute pancreatitis is a frequent complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and anti-retroviral therapy, pancreatic inflammation directly related to HIV infection is uncommon and is difficult to diagnose. The presence of features suggestive of autoimmune etiology complicates the diagnosis making process even more difficult. Rarely, HIV-related inflammation of pancreas mimicking radiological features of autoimmune pancreatitis has been described. However, serological features of autoimmune pancreatitis have not been described in HIV-related inflammation of pancreas. Here, we present a case of acute pancreatitis in an HIV patient where the etiology was attributed to HIV-related inflammation after extensive workup despite serological features suggestive of autoimmune pancreatitis. Therefore, the case report suggests that the physician should consider other etiologies prior to labelling autoimmune pancreatitis based on serology alone.




J Med Cases. 2018;9(4):109-111
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3012w