Bone marrow morphologic changes in Nigerian patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Bone marrow morphologic changes in patients with HIV!AIDS are frequently reported but none of the changes is termed pathognomonic. The present study is aimed at evaluating the usefulness of bone marrow assessment in Nigerian patients with HIVIAIDS. Materials and Methods: T his is a prospective hospital based study where 96 bone marrow samples of patients infected with HIV/AIDS seen at A.K.T.H., Kana were analyzed using MGG, Perl's stain and/or H&E stains. Indications for marrow study were anaemia (70.9%), Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (20.8%) or lvmphoma (8.3%). Results: Hypercellular marrows were found in 63.3% of patients and the remainder was normocellular or hypocel/ulkar. The major finding of dysplasia was seen in 80% of cases. Erythropoietic and gran ulocytic dysplasia mainly as megaloblastic erythropoiesis accounted for 60.4% and 60.5% of the dysplasia respectivel y. Conclusion: Bone marrow as pi ration in the setting of HIVIAIDS is useful in diagnosing megaloblastic anaemia and staging lymphomas. It may be used or diagnosing infections such as tuberculosis when TB cultures become a vailable or when patients present early.