Diagnosing multiple opportunistic infections : the value of a liver biopsy : case study

Liver function test abnormalities are prevalent in patients with HIV, and in particular advanced HIV. Opportunistic infections, drug hepatotoxicity and viral hepatitis co-infections are frequently encountered. We present a patient with advanced HIV and abnormal liver function tests in whom the definitive diagnosis of multiple opportunistic infections was made by liver biopsy. This case illustrates the diagnostic value of liver biopsy in our local patient population, where diagnostic uncertainty is common and empiric therapy is often the standard of care.