Biopsy pathology of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Between January 1982 and May 1986 279 biopsy specimens from 82 patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were examined. A wide variety of infectious conditions were diagnosed, the commonest being Pneumocystis pneumonia (n = 36), cytomegalovirus (n = 21), a variety of fungi (n = 8), mycobacteria (n = 7). Kaposi's sarcoma was the commonest tumour (n = 40), and there were two cases of extranodal lymphoma. Striking features were the unusual sites of disease and the occasional paucity of organisms.