Successful management of HIV infection in a patient with ulcerative colitis; a case report

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infectious disease that is rarely seen in ulcerative colitis patients. Both diseases commonly involve the colon. It has been shown that treating these patients with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy leads to remission of both conditions. We hereby present the case of a 7-year-old boy who was initially managed as a case ulcerative colitis after undergoing extensive workup and later on tested positive for HIV infection and was managed via mesalamine and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Mesalamine therapy along with HAART can be used to treat ulcerative colitis patients infected with HIV infection in resource limited countries.

Keywords: Ulcerative colitis, HIV virus, Mesalamine, Tumor necrosis factor alpha