HIV and the spleen studies?

[dowellndoubtnot]

My bf's doctor suspects his spleen may be enlarged, which got me doing some research online about enlarged spleens and HIV. My bf is on atripla and has been undetectable for close to 4 years now.

I found this old study from 2000, that seems to indicate that a large percent of people with asymptomatic HIV have enlarged spleens. This is the study http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/30/6/943.long

However i imagine that now that many folks, like my bf, are undetectable and have their HIV under control, this study may be out of date. I could not find any study about the prevalence of enlarged spleens in people who have their HIV under control and are undetectable...would anybody happen to know of any? Or happen to know if enlarged spleens are still quite common even in this group of people as it was with those that are asymptomatic?

Thanks!

[Jim Allen]

Hi

I moved your post to here, please only post in "Someone I Care About Has HIV" or "Off Topic" for any off topic items.

I see you have a thread that is similar topic.
http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=63671.msg709957#msg709957

So yeah I would consider a paper on tests over a few months from 1999 out of date. Many things can cause low platelets. I understand your BF is on treatment and the virus suppressed, that's great and he should continue to work with his doctor if this is a concern.

Jim

[CaveyUK]

Yeah, a huge number of things can cause an enlarged spleen. Him happening to be HIV and on medication may well not be a factor at all. Mono is the most common cause of this issue.

Working with the doctor is the best approach here.

[dowellndoubtnot]

Thanks so much for the replies! And sorry for the duplicate similar posts, i thought maybe asking for any studies was worth its own thread, my apologies!

Yeah, we will definitely follow whatever the doctor says!

I guess my one basic question that i'd like to know, and can't seem to find an answer to, is whether HIV, when controlled by medication, is in itself sometimes the cause of an enlarged spleen?

[CaveyUK]

I'm assuming you want some reassurance that it is 'normal', but I don't think anyone but the doctor can advise on that.

Spleen enlargement is usually seen in Acute HIV infection (ie. Seroconversion) as a result to the infection.

I'm not saying it can't be seen when the virus is fully suppressed on ART - it may well can be, but I think it is fair to say that it isn't really 'common'.

Wishing all the best for getting to the bottom of the problem

[dowellndoubtnot]

Thanks so much, that was indeed the crux of my question.

Would you say the same is true with a long term low platelet count (around 100k range)? That it can be seen when the virus is fully suppressed on ART (knowing that there is many reasons totally unrelated to HIV that could cause it), but that it is not 'common' for HIV to be the cause of it in itself when fully suppressed?

Thanks again for your help!

[Jim Allen]

Hi

Can it be seen when the virus is suppressed ? In short yes because the cause might have nothing to do with HIV or the medication. This could even be seen in HIV negative folks so again see a doctor is the only correct answer here.

Jim

[harleymc]

This is a zombie threat.
It starts with speculation "suspects spleen may be enlarged" and wanders aimlessly from there...

I can tell you for a fact that it may be enlarged! I can also tell you for a fact that it may be not enlarged!

A doctor and tests could tell you about reality.

Until then "brains, brains...."

[CaveyUK]

Not sure it qualifies as a zombie thread Harley.... It was opened on 8th August, and the last post (prior to yours) was 10th August

Oh hang on, I've just bumped it - maybe *I'm* the zombie....

(licks lips)

Edit: I've figured out what you meant now. I'm not sure what you'd call that in forumworld...maybe just a 'regular' thread, lol