Elsevier

The Lancet

Volume 362, Issue 9388, 20 September 2003, Pages 959-961
The Lancet

Research Letters
Whole-body positron emission tomography in patients with HIV-1 infection

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14366-8Get rights and content

Summary

Positron emission tomography with fluorine-18-deoxyglucose (FDG-PET) detects active lymphoid tissues during HIV-1 infection in man. We used FDG-PET to study anatomical correlates of HIV-1 infection in man. Whole-body FDG-PET images from 15 patients with HIV-1 showed distinct lymphoid tissue activation in the head and neck during acute disease, a generalised pattern of peripheral lymph-node activation at mid-stages, and involvement of abdominal lymph nodes during late disease. Unexpectedly, HIV-1 progression was evident by distinct anatomical correlates, suggesting that lymphoid tissues are engaged in a predictable sequence. Understanding the anatomy of HIV-1 infection could encourage use of surgical or radiological interventions to supplement chemotherapy.

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