Elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha in association with severe anemia in human immunodeficiency virus infection and Mycobacterium avium intracellulare infection.

Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) infection is a serious opportunistic infection that occurs in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In MAI the hematologic system is profoundly affected. In the present study the hematologic manifestations of MAI in 37 HIV-infected infants and children were reviewed. Anemia was the predominant feature in all patients, with severe anemia (hemoglobin < 6 g/dL) occurring in 7 of 34 (21%) patients. This was followed by leukopenia (79%), monocytosis (82%), thrombocytopenia (59%), leukoerythroblastic reaction (68%), and neutropenia (41%). Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was markedly elevated in all patients with MAI with an X +/- SE of 702 +/- 182 pg/mL. There was an association between elevated TNF-alpha and anemia in these patients.