Combination antiretroviral therapy including a protease inhibitor eliminated the transfusion requirements of HIV-infected individuals with anemia of chronic disease

Protease inhibitors (PIs) for HIV-1 are a major advance in the management of this infection and in conjunction with other antiretroviral agents have revolutionized our treatment of HIV infection and its complications (1). We retrospectively evaluated the impact of combination antiretroviral treatment, including a PI, on the red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirements of HIV-infected individuals with anemia of chronic disease (also called anemia of inflammation). Eleven patients with AIDS and transfusion-requiring anemia of chronic disease required 47 units of RBCs during a median follow-up of 25 months prior to beginning highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). None of the 11 patients required any transfusions of RBCs after the first 6 weeks on HAART.