Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia in a Man with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a benign lung disorder characterized by diffuse lymphocytic infiltration and polyclonal parenchymal proliferation¹. Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare disease that can occur in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Less than 5% of HIV-positive adults are affected² .

A 52-year-old man was admitted to the internal medicine department because of weight loss. Serological testing revealed that he was HIV positive. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) was performed because he reported having flu-like symptoms for one month. Ground-glass opacities, accompanied by millimeter-sized thin-walled cysts, were observed in both lungs, which were more prominent in the upper lobes (Figure 1). Mediastinal lymphadenopathy was also present (Figure 2).

FIGURE 1
(A-B): Thoracic computed tomography showing ground-glass areas accompanied by multiple millimeter-sized thin-walled cysts and cystic changes in both lungs.

FIGURE 2:
Thoracic computed tomography showing mediastinal lymphadenopathy (curved arrows).

Approximately 5% of LIP cases undergo malignant transformation to lymphoma². The treatment of LIP differs from that of other opportunistic infections because it is generally responsive to steroids^1-2. Therefore, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of HIV-positive patients with respiratory complaints. Specific imaging characteristics such as thin-walled cysts in areas of ground-glass opacities can help to make the diagnosis.

REFERENCES

• ¹
  Swigris JJ, Berry GJ, Rafn TA, Kuschner WG. Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia: a narrative review. Chest. 2002;122(6):2150-64.
• ²
  Panchabhai TS, Farver C, Highland KB. Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. Clin Chest Med. 2016;37(3):463-74.

• Financial Support: No funding was received for this study.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  02 June 2023
• Date of issue
  2023

History

• Received
  01 Feb 2023
• Accepted
  12 Apr 2023