Combined autoimmune disease in a patient with AIDS.

Immune dysregulation in HIV-infected patients, along with the new medications for treatment of AIDS that possess immunomodulating potential, may lead to an increased incidence of autoimmune diseases in this patient population. However, the presence of combined autoimmune diseases in an AIDS patient is rare. Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is an uncommon inflammatory disease manifested by recurrent attacks of auricular chondritis. The presence of type II and IX collagen antibodies, and their association with HLA-DR4 and other autoimmune diseases, suggests that antiself reactions may be present. Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease manifested by inflammation of the lungs, eyes and joints. In the peripheral blood there is depressed cellular immunity and enhanced humoral immunity. We here describe a case of coexisting RP and sarcoidosis in an AIDS patient.