The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) requires no further introduction. Since 1981, when the AIDS was first recognized in the United States, much interest, anxiety and fear have been generated among people all over the world. It has spread inexorably in the United States, Europe and Africa such that the World Health Organization has warned of the beginning of a worldwide epidemic of AIDS. Asia has been relatively spared; nonetheless cases have been reported from Thailand, India, Taiwan, China and Japan.' Malaysia has anticipated the appearance of the disease; an AI DS task force under the auspices of the Ministry of Health was established in early 1986. However, it is only a year later that we now report the first case of AIDS in this country.
We report a case of renal tubular acidosis (RTA) in a patient with HIV infection and AIDS. A 33-year-old HIV-positive man with Hepatitis C and tuberculous lymphadenitis was admitted due to deep venous thrombosis and generalized muscle weakness. He had never received anti-retroviral medication. The blood gases and serum electrolytes showed hyperchloremic normal anion gap metabolic acidosis with severe hypokalemia and alkaline urine. Diagnosis of distal RTA was made. His renal function and serum globulin level remained within normal range throughout his illness. Clinicians should be alert to renal tubular disorders in HIV/AIDS patients even in the absence of anti-retroviral therapy or hypergammaglobulinemic state.