A correlative study of magnetic resonance imaging and biochemical findings of neuroinfections in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

Abstract

Context: Neuroinfections are one of the most common complications in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. The neurological complications arise from the HIV infection itself or from secondary opportunistic infections and neoplasm. Neurological manifestations cause significant morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. Aims: The aims of the study were to assess the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of the central nervous system infections in patients with HIV and to correlate the imaging features with biochemical markers of various neuroinfections in HIV patients to get a better diagnostic probability wherever possible. Settings and Design: HIV patients with suspected neuroinfections were included in the study. The CD4 count, the cerebrospinal fluid analysis reports and other serological investigations were taken. The various MRI sequences were then taken and assessed. Materials and Methods: All HIV-infected patients who were suspected to have neuroinfection who were referred for MRI imaging to the Department of Radio-diagnosis, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, from the attached hospitals were assessed. Statistical Analysis Used: Documented observations were compiled using SPSS-16.5 software (IBM). Univariate analysis was carried out for data interpretation. Multiple variables were assessed with Pearson's method. Results: In this study, majority were men with a male to female ratio of 5:1 and most falling in the age group of 20-40 years. Out of 50 patients in our study, 48 patients were proven to have some or the other neuroinfections, either purely biochemically or by considering the radiological and clinical criterion and only in 2 patients the exact diagnosis could not be made and were empirically treated with antitubercular treatment. Conclusion: This study tried to correlate the various neuroinfections in HIV-infected patients with their respective biochemical markers and CD4 counts. Neuroinfections are common complications in HIV-infected patients with the distribution of infection related to the CD4 count.