APPENDICITIS IN HIV‐POSITIVE PATIENTS

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Abstract
The aim of the present study was to review the experience of appendicitis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. A retrospective analysis of all HIV-positive patients operated on for suspected acute appendicitis during a 10-year period at St Vincent's Hospital was performed. These patients were compared to a group of 60 age- and sex-matched patients with no HIV risk factors who were operated on during the same time period. On presentation the clinical findings were similar in both groups, with two notable exceptions. No HIV-positive patient had an elevated white cell count. The present study demonstrated a significant delay in presentation of the HIV-positive group to the Emergency Department, possibly explaining the higher appendiceal perforation rate in this group. There were no cases of HIV-related diseases mimicking acute appendicitis. There was no mortality, and morbidity was higher in the seropositive group. HIV-positive patients with a history suggestive of acute appendicitis should not be treated differently from the normal population. Morbidity and mortality can be minimized by prompt surgical treatment.

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