The nephropathology in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection.

The nephropathology observed in patients with HIV infection is reviewed. A characteristic, though not specific, nephropathy associated with HIV infection can be encountered in HIV carriers, in patients with AIDS-related complex and in patients with AIDS. HIV-associated nephropathy typically exhibits the features of an aggressive form of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. Distinctive pathologic features include: 1) the "collapsing" and predominantly global pattern of glomerulosclerosis; 2) the severity of visceral epithelial cell hypertrophy and droplet formation; 3) the prominent tubular microcysts and cast formation; 4) the focal tubular degenerative features; and 5) the numerous tubuloreticular inclusions.