Symptomatic hypoparathyroidism in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Involvement of endocrine organs is frequent in patients with HIV infections. We report the first case of symptomatic hypoparathyroidism in a patient in the course of HIV infection. He presented with tetany and hypocalcemia in the presence of decreased levels of parathyroid hormone, which persisted after correction of hypomagnesemia. The family history was negative and none of the autoimmune diseases associated with hypoparathyroidism was present. No local destruction by tumor or infection could be demonstrated apart from HIV infection. We propose a causal role of HIV infection in the development of hypoparathyroidism and discuss the possible mechanisms of parathyroid involvement in AIDS.