MAMMARY GLANDS ENLARGE TO HIV INFECTED MAN ADMINISTERING ART

IMPHAl, : In what could be a rare case of its kind a HIV positive man developed his chest like a woman breast after using ART (Anti Retroviral Therapy) drugs.

According to 38-year James ( not real name) who had a normal chest as normal as a man observed the biological change after taking ART drugs and he believed it to be a side effect of the ART. Enlarging his breast in an unexpected manner was started some two years back.

Doctors commented perhaps may be the first case of Gynaecomastia (enlargement of men's breasts) in the medical history of Manipur probably as a side-effect of using ART drugs.

Dr Priyokumar, ART in charge of JN Hospital said that ART, first line drugs which contain Efaviranz causes development of fats. Even though enlargement of breasts after taking ART drugs was observed in women, this is the first case among men, he added.

But the problem is alternative ART drugs like Tenofovir, Abacaviv or Didanocine are not provided at ART centres although other drugs are provided free of cost to the HIV positive people, he said.

The bizarre physical and biological development can be observed to James after he started taking ART which have high composition of Efaviranz. He used to take drugs some 14 years back.

But since then he gave up all kinds of intoxicating drugs and took up body building exercise in a gym. James came to know that he was HIV positive after he totally stopped using drugs and intoxicant items.

He said after then he started taking ART first line drugs and is still continuing ART treatment. About two years back, his breasts started developing in the most unexpected manner.

"I was least concerned with my physical change in the first stage. But it grew up steadily and landed me in a highly embarrassing situation", James said.

He could not afford ART second line drugs and has been coping with first line drugs due to his impoverished family. More burdens to his family's extreme economic hardships is that his father is a diabetic patient while his younger brother is suffering from leukemia.

And the only option left to James to remove his extraneous breasts is surgery.

James faced a lot of inconveniences with enlargement of his breast. He could not go out only with a thin T-shirt in the hot summer day. "Although the weather is simmering with summer heat, I cannot help wearing thick jackets just to cover up my enlarged breasts", he said adding that his movement outside home has also been severely restricted.

His biggest concern is at the time of frisking and checking by the security forces above at a time when frisking every commuter has become a regular sight on every road.

Security personnel often make sneering remarks while frisking him and even molested his breasts, James said. As such he has been compelled staying aloof from all social functions and religious ceremonies for the same embarrassing reason.

In the meantime, the All Manipur Anti Drug Association, AMADA announced assistant while making all efforts to raise fund for treatment of James.

The association also urged upon the authorities concerned to avail ART second line drugs in Manipur within a short time as was done in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.