[Histopathologic aspects of adenopathies in the persistent adenopathy syndrome and AIDS-related syndromes].

The histopathological modifications of the lymph nodes are studied in patients at risk for AIDS, LAV positive, with the lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) or the ARC. Three different types are described: type IA, with predominantly a severe follicular hyperplasia, type IB with angiofollicular hyperplasia or Castleman disease like lesions, type II with angioimmunoblastic like lesions. In type IA, the modifications of the follicles are the most important histological modification (atrophy of the mantle zone, germinative centres lymphoid infiltrate). These lesions are non specific. But associated to modifications of the deep cortical area and the sinuses they are highly suggestive of the diagnosis of LAV infection. A correlation is shown between evolution and histopathological lesions. The lymph node biopsy in patients at risk for AIDS is useful for the diagnosis and also the prognosis.