Castleman disease and HIV infection. Presentation of two cases and revision of the literature

Abstract

Castleman´s disease is a lymphoproliferative disorder of uncertain origin but, principally, related to dysfunction of follicular dendritic cells and impaired production of various cytokines, most of which have proinflammatory activity and are responsible for the symptoms that patients present.
The relationship between Castleman´s disease and HHV8, especially in severe forms, has been well documented in the last years. This morbid association is related to an unfortunate evolution in the context of HIV infection, presenting an increased risk of neoplastic disorders such as Kaposi´s disease and various types of lymphomas.
Two cases of Castleman´s disease associated with HHV8 and HIV infection, and the pathogenic context in which they developed, are presented and described.