What are the most common causes of pancreatitis in HIV infected patients?
- Several studies have documented chronic and recurrent elevations of serum amylase and lipase in up to 50% of patients with AIDS.
- The most common medications associated with pancreatitis in AIDS are pentamidine, didanosine (ddI), and zalcitabine (ddC). Protease inhibitors frequently cause hyperlipidemia.
- Ritonavir is associated with the most dramatic increases in serum triglycerides, with 10% of patients developing severe hypertriglyceridemia. Pancreatitis is well described in patients with elevations in triglycerides from protease inhibitors.
- Reported infectious causes of pancreatitis include CMV, HSV, MAC, and tuberculosis. An infectious cause of pancreatitis is difficult to establish and requires pancreatic biopsy.
