Abstract
Purpose: :
HIV-associated myopathy has been described as early as the inception of the epidemic. This myopathy has traditionally been categorized by features within the continuum of polymyositis. (1) In addition zidovudine (AZT), a dideoxynucleoside analog initially indicated for the treatment of HIV has also been implicated in a mitochondrial myopathy associated with atrophic ragged- red fibers and marked myofribrillar alterations. (2)The purpose of this study is to describe the histological findings in Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) related ptosis in HIV patients
Methods: :
Electron microscopy studies were performed on levator palpabrae muscle complex specimens obtained intraoperatively on three patients. Two patients with HIV and one patient with age-related dehiscence of the levator. Trichrome studies and NADH staining studies were performed as well.
Results: :
Specimens from the HIV patients showed numerous ragged-red fibers on trichrome staining. These findings are similar to those finding reporting zidovudine associated myopathy. (see arrows below figure) The control patient specimen showed scant ragged-red fibers lower in number than the aforementioned patients.
Keywords: AIDS/HIV • pathology: human • eyelid