Emphysema Seen in HIV+'s

HIV infected individuals often develop unexplained reactions to pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO). Recent data has shown that reductions in pulmonary diffusing predict the subsequent development of opportunistic pneumonia. Investigators from Ohio State University used high-resolution computed tomography of the chest and a separation of diffusing capacity of the chest's membrane and capillary blood volume components (Vc) in HIV positive patients with unexplained reductions in pulmonary diffusing capacity. Compared to HIV negatives, the HIV group with diffusion impairment had prominent reductions in Vc. There was evidence of early emphysema significantly correlated with pulmonary diffusing capacity. The researchers theorize that reports of impairment in pulmonary gas exchange in HIV infected individuals is linked to loss of Vc and may signal the development of early emphysema.