International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development

Lymphadenopathy is a cardinal clinical feature of HIV infection, reflecting the complex and dynamic interplay between the virus and the host immune system. The morphological changes within the lymph node are not static; they evolve through predictable histological stages that mirror the progressive immunological decline. This review systematically details the spectrum of pathological findings, from the initial florid reactive hyperplasia of early infection to the profound lymphocyte depletion of advanced AIDS. Understanding this spectrum is crucial for accurate diagnosis, as the lymph node architecture provides a histological roadmap of disease progression and is a common site for opportunistic infections and neoplasms.