Accelerated atherosclerosis in a human immunodeficiency virus infected patient not on highly active anti-retroviral therapy: An autopsy case report

The pandemic spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been the greatest challenge to public health in modern times. However today, people infected with HIV are living longer due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This has resulted in age related complications like cardiovascular diseases, causing increased morbidity and mortality. The relative contributions of HIV infection versus potential adverse effects of HAART to coronary heart disease risk remains unclear. Recent reports implicate both HIV infection per se and HAART therapy to cause metabolic derangements which are pro-atherogenic. Here, we report a case of HIV infected young patient never exposed to HAART, presenting with accelerated atherosclerosis in aorta, coronary and carotid arteries.