Rationale: Sarcoidosis is an immune-mediated systemic disease, and the increase in CD4+ T lymphocyte cells is considered as a key factor for the development of sarcoidosis. The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is well known as the impaired immune system and characterized by relative lack of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Thus, the coexistence of sarcoidosis and HIV infection has rarely been reported.
Patient concerns: A 65-year-old female patient was admitted to our respiratory ward complained of fatigue, chest distress, and a persistent dry cough for 2 months.
Diagnoses: The chest computed tomography scan showed diffuse reticulonodular infiltrates and mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy along with transbronchial biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration was performed. The pathological findings revealed noncaseating granulomas, and the patient was found to be HIV-seropositive through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed as HIV by the centers for disease control and prevention.
Interventions: The patient was administered oral methylprednisolone 20 mg/day for pulmonary sarcoidosis and then referred to the hospital for infectious diseases receiving subsequent treatment for HIV.
Outcomes: clinical symptoms relieved 3 months later after treatment.
Lessons: The coexistence of sarcoidosis and HIV infection is rare because of paradoxical roles of CD4-positive T cells in the pathogenesis of AIDS and sarcoidosis.