Lipid abnormalities in a healthcare worker receiving HIV prophylaxis

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide risk occupational exposure to HIV and other blood-borne pathogens. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may decrease the risk of seroconversion after occupational or sexual exposure. Current guidelines recommend immediate PEP with at least 2 drugs following HIV exposure. In high-risk exposures, the guidelines recommend the use of a protease inhibitor (PI) as well as 2 reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Protease inhibitors have been associated with dyslipidaemias, other metabolic abnormalities and lipodystrophy syndromes in AIDS patients. We report a case of new transient lipid abnormalities in a HCW receiving PEP after HIV exposure. HIV medications may produce occult metabolic abnormalities in HIV-negative individuals receiving PEP. This risk should be considered during follow-up evaluation for PEP.