Neutropenia in patients with HIV infection: implications and methods of correction

Neutropenia is a common complication of infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The etiology of neutropenia in this pathology can be quite different. This is the damage of precursor cells by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), collapse of bone-marrow hemopoiesis caused by drugs for the HIV treatment and opportunistic infections, displacement of normal hematosis by tumorous HIV-associated cells and accelerated apoptosis of segmented neutrophils. These mechanisms are an important factor of developing opportunistic infection in HIV infected patients. Application of granulocytic colony-stimulating factors during complex therapy of HIV infection provides an opportunity to regulate the amount and the function of neutrophils, reducing the risk of consecutive infections. The article gives an overview of the literature and prospective studies of the author.