Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2022 Oct 24;3(1):1-11.
doi: 10.1159/000526868. eCollection 2023 Jan-Dec.

HIV-Associated Nephropathy in 2022

Affiliations
Review

HIV-Associated Nephropathy in 2022

Frederick Berro Rivera et al. Glomerular Dis. .

Abstract

Background: HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is a renal parenchymal disease that occurs exclusively in people living with HIV. It is a serious kidney condition that may possibly lead to end-stage kidney disease, particularly in the HIV-1 seropositive patients.

Summary: The African-American population has increased susceptibility to this comorbidity due to a strong association found in the APOL1 gene, specifically two missense mutations in the G1 allele and a frameshift deletion in the G2 allele, although a "second-hit" event is postulated to have a role in the development of HIVAN. HIVAN presents with proteinuria, particularly in the nephrotic range, as with other kidney diseases. The diagnosis requires biopsy and typically presents with collapsing subtype focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and microcyst formation in the tubulointerstitial region. Gaps still exist in the definitive treatment of HIVAN - concurrent use of antiretroviral therapy and adjunctive management with like renal-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, steroids, or renal replacement therapy showed benefits.

Key message: This study reviews the current understanding of HIVAN including its epidemiology, mechanism of disease, related genetic factors, clinical profile, and pathophysiologic effects of management options for patients.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Glomerular disease; Glomerulonephritis; HIV-associated nephropathy; Pathology.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mechanism of APOL1 upregulation by the human immunodeficiency virus.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pathophysiology of HIVAN.

References

    1. Hou J, Nast CC. Changing concepts of HIV infection and renal disease. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2018 May;27((3)):144–152. - PubMed
    1. Wearne N, Okpechi IG. HIV-associated renal disease an overview. Clin Nephrol. 2016;86:41–47. - PubMed
    1. Kudose S, Santoriello D, Bomback AS, Stokes MB, Batal I, Markowitz GS, et al. The spectrum of kidney biopsy findings in HIV-infected patients in the modern era. Kidney Int. 2020 May;97((5)):1006–1016. - PubMed
    1. Swanepoel CR, Atta MG, D'Agati VD, Estrella MM, Fogo AB, Naicker S, et al. Kidney disease in the setting of HIV infection conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference. Kidney Int. 2018 Mar 1;93((3)):545–559. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Banu SG, Banu SS, Saleh FM. HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) a short review of different authors. Mymensingh Med J. 2013 Jul;22((3)):613–617. - PubMed