Central Nervous System Opportunistic Infections Research Articles

Long-term outcomes after new onset seizure in children living with HIV: A cohort study.

To determine the long-term outcomes, including mortality and recurrent seizures, among children living with HIV (CLWH) who present with new onset seizure. Zambian CLWH and new onset seizure were enrolled prospectively to determine the risk of and risk factors for recurrent seizures. Demographic data, clinical profiles, index seizure etiology, and 30-day mortality outcomes were previously reported. After discharge, children were followed quarterly to identify recurrent seizures and death. Given the high risk of early death, risk factors for recurrent seizure were evaluated using a model that adjusted for mortality. Among 73 children enrolled, 28 died (38%), 22 within 30-days of the index seizure. Median follow-up was 533 days (IQR 18-957) with 5% (4/73) lost to follow-up. Seizure recurrence was 19% among the entire cohort. Among children surviving at least 30-days after the index seizure, 27% had a recurrent seizure. Median time from index seizure to recurrent seizure was 161 days (IQR 86-269). Central nervous system opportunistic infection (CNS OI), as the cause for the index seizure was protective against recurrent seizures and higher functional status was a risk factor for seizure recurrence. Among CLWH presenting with new onset seizure, mortality risks remain elevated beyond the acute illness period. Recurrent seizures are common and are more likely in children with higher level of functioning even after adjusting for the outcome of death. Newer antiseizure medications appropriate for co-usage with antiretroviral therapies are needed for the care of these children. CNS OI may represent a potentially reversible provocation for the index seizure, while seizures in high functioning CLWH without a CNS OI may be the result of a prior brain injury or susceptibility to seizures unrelated to HIV and thus represent an ongoing predisposition to seizures. This study followed CLWH who experienced a new onset seizure to find out how many go on to have more seizures and identify any patient characteristics associated with having more seizures. The study found that mortality rates continue to be high beyond the acute clinical presentation with new onset seizure. Children with a CNS OI causing the new onset seizure had a lower risk of later seizures, possibly because the trigger for the seizure can be treated. In contrast, high functioning children without a CNS OI were at higher risk of future seizures.

Molecular diagnosis of opportunistic infections in the central nervous system of HIV-infected adults in Manaus, Amazonas.

Opportunistic infections in the central nervous system (CNS) of people with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) remain significant contributors to morbidity and mortality, especially in resource-limited scenarios. Diagnosing these infections can be challenging, as brain imaging is non-specific and expensive. Therefore, molecular analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may offer a more accurate and affordable method for diagnosing pathogens. We conducted extensive real-time PCR testing (qPCR) on CSF to evaluate etiological agents in PLWHA with neurological manifestations. Primers targeting DNA from specific pathogens, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), John Cunningham virus (JCV), Toxoplasma gondii, and human T-lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2), were used. Cerebrospinal fluid samples revealed 90 pathogens (36.7%). Toxoplasma gondii was the most frequently detected pathogen, found in 22 samples (30.5%). Other pathogens included Cryptococcus sp. (7.7%), EBV (5.3%), CMV, VZV, and JCV (4.0% each). Despite antiretroviral therapy and medical follow-up, opportunistic central nervous system infections remain frequent in PLWHA. Herpesviruses are commonly detected, but T. gondii is the most prevalent opportunistic pathogen in our study population. Therefore, molecular diagnosis is a crucial tool for identifying opportunistic infections, even in patients undergoing treatment.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and Human Immunodeficiency virus infection: dilemmas in diagnosis and management: a case series

BackgroundMyelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a recently described autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). There is limited data on the association between Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and MOGAD. We report three patients with HIV infection and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies in the setting of other central nervous system infections.Case descriptionsThe first patient, a 44-year-old black African man, presented with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) with positive serum MOG antibodies. He made a significant recovery with corticosteroids but had a quick relapse and died from sepsis. The second patient, an 18-year-old black woman, presented with paraplegia and imaging revealed a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and had positive serum MOG antibodies. She remained paraplegic after methylprednisone and plasmapheresis treatments. Her rehabilitation was complicated by development of pulmonary embolism and tuberculosis. The third patient, a 43-year-old mixed-race woman, presented with bilateral painless visual loss. Her investigations were notable for positive MOG antibodies, positive Varicella Zoster Virus on cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and hyperintense optic nerves on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Her vision did not improve with immunosuppression and eventually died from sepsis.ConclusionOur cases illustrate the diagnostic and management challenges of MOGAD in the setting of advanced HIV infection, where the risk of CNS opportunistic infections is high even without the use of immunosuppression. The atypical clinical progression and the dilemmas in the diagnosis and treatment of these cases highlight gaps in the current knowledge of MOGAD among people with HIV that need further exploration.

Characterisation and variables associated with mortality in a population with HIV and central nervous system opportunistic infections in a Colombian public hospital in Bogotá

IntroductionHIV-associated mortality after a central nervous system opportunistic infection can reach up to 78%. In populations with limited economic resources, few studies have evaluated the clinical outcomes of these infections in patients with HIV. MethodsWe performed an observational analytical study using our hospital's database. Sociodemographic, clinical, and paraclinical data were gathered from patients with HIV-associated opportunistic neurological infections attended between January 2019 and January 2021. The aim of the study was to describe the in-hospital mortality rate and to establish associations with sociodemographic, clinical, and paraclinical variables. ResultsSeventy-five patients were included, with a mean age of 38.7 years. Fourteen (31.8%) were receiving antiretroviral therapy at the time of admission. The most frequent neurological infections were cerebral toxoplasmosis (37.3%, n = 28), meningeal cryptococcosis (20%, n = 15), and neurosyphilis (20%, n = 15). The in-hospital mortality rate was 25.3% (n = 19). The variables associated with increased mortality risk were diagnosis of meningeal cryptococcosis, admission to the ICU, and presence of fever. The variables associated with decreased mortality risk were CSF/blood glucose ratio > 0.5 and normal body mass index (18–25). ConclusionsIn a population of patients with HIV-associated opportunistic neurological infections, in-hospital mortality was 25.3%. The diagnosis of meningeal cryptococcosis, admission to the ICU, and the presence of fever are associated with higher mortality risk. To the contrary, CSF/blood glucose ratio > 0.5 and normal body mass index are associated with lower mortality risk.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing versus traditional laboratory methods for the diagnosis of central nervous system opportunistic infections in HIV-infected Chinese adults

To evaluate clinical value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who had CNS disorders. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 48 PLWHA presenting with CNS disorders were sequenced using mNGS and compared with clinical conventional diagnostic methods. In total, 36/48 ss(75%) patients were diagnosed with pathogen(s) infection by mNGS, and the positive detection proportion by mNGS was higher than that by clinical conventional diagnostic methods (75% vs 52.1%, X2 = 5.441, P = 0.020). Thirteen out of 48 patients (27.1%) were detected with 3–7 pathogens by mNGS. Moreover, 77 pathogen strains were detected, of which 94.8% (73/77) by mNGS and 37.0% (30/77) by clinical conventional methods (X2 = 54.206, P < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of pathogens detection by mNGS were 63.9% (23/36) and 66.7% (8/12), respectively, which were superior to that by clinical conventional methods (23/36 vs 9/25, X2 = 4.601, P = 0.032; 8/12 vs 5/23, X2 = 5.029, P = 0.009). The application of mNGS was superior for its ability to detect a variety of unknown pathogens and multiple pathogens infection, and relatively higher sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of CNS disorders in PLWHA.

Presynaptic Hemiparkinsonism Following Cerebral Toxoplasmosis: Case Report and Literature Review.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis (CTx) is a central nervous system opportunistic infection with variable neurological manifestations. Although tropism of Toxoplasma gondii for the basal ganglia is well known, movement disorders (MDs) represent only a small percentage of CTx-related neurological complications. CTx-associated MDs are usually hyperkinetic, whereas parkinsonism associated with evidence of presynaptic dopaminergic deficit has never been described. We report a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient who developed a complex MD featuring unilateral tremor combined with parkinsonism and dystonia following an acute episode of disseminated CTx. Her dopamine transporter scan (DaTscan) documented contralateral presynaptic dopaminergic deficit. Levodopa initiation improved both tremor and parkinsonism after ineffective trials of several other medications over the years. A total of 64 patients presenting with CTx-related MDs have been described. The most common MD was chorea (44%), followed by ataxia (20%), parkinsonism (16%), tremor (14%), dystonia (14%), myoclonus (3%), and akathisia (2%). DaTscan was performed only in 1 case, of Holmes tremor, that demonstrated reduced presynaptic dopaminergic uptake. Positive response to dopaminergic treatment was reported in 3 cases of Holmes tremor and 2 cases of parkinsonism. Presynaptic dopaminergic deficit may occur in CTx-related tremor combined with parkinsonism. Its identification should prompt initiation of levodopa, thus avoiding unnecessary trials of other drugs.

The Impact of Paracoccidioides spp Infection on Central Nervous System Cell Junctional Complexes

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic mycosis caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides spp. is the most prevalent fungal infection among immunocompetent patients in Latin America. The estimated frequency of central nervous system (CNS) involvement among the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/PCM-positive population is 2.5%. We aimed to address the impact of neuroparacoccidioidomycosis (NPCM) and HIV/NPCM co-infection on the tight junctions (TJ) and adherens junction (AJ) proteins of the CNS. Four CNS formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens were studied: NPCM, NPCM/HIV co-infection, HIV-positive without opportunistic CNS infection, and normal brain autopsy (negative control). Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the endothelial cells and astrocytes expressions of TJ markers: claudins (CLDN)-1, -3, -5 and occludin; AJ markers: β-catenin and E-cadherin; and pericyte marker: alpha-smooth muscle actin.FFPE CNS tissue specimens were analyzed using the immunoperoxidase assay. CLDN-5 expression in the capillaries of the HIV/NPCM coinfected tissues (mixed clinical form of PCM) was lower than that in the capillaries of the HIV or NPCM monoinfected (chronic clinical form of PCM) tissues. A marked decrease in CLDN-5 expression and a compensatory increase in CLDN-1 expression in the NPCM/HIV co-infection tissue samples was observed. The authors suggest that Paracoccidioides spp. crosses the blood-brain barrier through paracellular pathway, owing to the alteration in the CLDN expression, or inside the macrophages (Trojan horse).

Clinical Characteristics of Ecuadorian Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Central Nervous System Infection

Antecedents: Infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by a variety of opportunistic agents in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The clinical and radiographic pattern of CNS in HIV immunocompromised patients are sometimes sufficient to establish the diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to describe the etiology distribution, clinical parameters, evaluation, management and complications in a group of patients treated in a hospital’s AIDS unit from a developing country. Methodology: An observational retrospective analytical study was conducted at Eugenio Espejo Hospital, Quito-Ecuador, between April 2002 and June 2010. Results: The prevalence of CNS infections in HIV patients was 5.9%. The most common opportunistic infections were Toxoplasmosis 46%, Cryptococcosis 20%, Tuberculosis 19%, HIV Encephalopathy 5%, and Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) 5%. The main clinical manifestations were headache, fever, and neurological focality. In the first decade of the 2000s, antiretroviral therapeutic (ART) regimens were established in 84% cases of which 66% followed the guidelines for treatment-naïve patients (AZT / 3TC / EFV). The prevalence of mortality was 21.31%, being the most common fatal complications lactic acidosis (38%), Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) (38%) and Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS) 23%. Conclusion: The prevalence presented in our study, is comparable to other studies conducted in developing countries in the same period. The high percentages of HIV-associated opportunistic CNS infection reported by 2005 was followed by a dramatic reduction since the advent and consolidation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Prevalence of Opportunistic Infection in Central Nervous System among Patients with HIV/AIDS at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, Indonesia

Background: The low coverage of diagnosis and treatment in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Indonesia increases the risk of opportunistic infections that affects various organs, including the central nervous system (CNS). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of opportunistic infections in the CNS among hospitalized patients with HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, Indonesia. Methods: In this cross-sectional study with a total sampling method, data were collected from HIV/AIDS patients who were diagnosed with CNS opportunistic infection and hospitalized in the neurology ward during the period 2015–2019. Data were presented as median (interquartile range) and percentage frequency. Results: Among the 2,606 HIV/AIDS patients registered, 219 (8.4%) were accompanied by CNS opportunistic infections. The highest number was cerebral toxoplasmosis (58.9%; n=129) followed by tuberculous meningitis (33.3%; n=73) and cryptococcal meningitis (7.8%; n=17). Most of the patients admitted for unconsciousness (64.4%; n=141), with unknown HIV-infection status (61.2%; n=134). Among patients with positive HIV-infection status, only 50.6% (43/85) patients were taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 24.7% (21/85) patients dropped out ART before being diagnosed with CNS opportunistic infections. The CD4+’s median value was 21 cells/mm3 (IQR 9-61.25), with mortality during hospitalization was 36.5% (80/219). Conclusions: The prevalence of CNS opportunistic infections among HIV-infected patients is 8.4%, dominated by cerebral toxoplasmosis, and laboratory result showed very low CD4+ levels. The diagnosis of HIV infection is shortly made before hospitalization, and those who has been diagnosed have low compliance with ART. The mortality rate during hospitalization is high.

Progressive Worsening of Neurological Manifestations in HIV-Associated Opportunistic Central Nervous System (CNS) Infection Patients After COVID-19 Vaccinations: A Possible Co-Incidence Causality

Case series Patients: Male, 23-year-old • Male, 23-year-old Final Diagnosis: Cerebral toxoplasmosis • HIV infection • pneumonia • pulmonary tuberculosis Symptoms: Fever • headache • hemiparesis • seizure • somnolence Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: General and Internal Medicine • Neurology • Tropical Medicine Objective: Unusual clinical course Background:The iceberg phenomenon (in which the most of a problem is invisible) of people living with HIV/AIDS, particularly those with unknown HIV status, has been epidemiologically challenging. Central nervous system (CNS) opportunistic infections in patients with HIV/AIDS are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV/AIDS. There are currently limited data on the immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in people living with HIV/AIDS with its associated opportunistic CNS infections as well as those without antiretroviral treatment.Case Reports:Two young men with previously unknown HIV status and its related opportunistic infections received their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine (Vero Cell), inactivated. Both patients had the risk factor of having sex with men (men who have sex with men). Fever and first neurological symptoms occurred within the first few days after vaccination. Both patients were hospitalized and were tested positive for HIV for the first time. Both were further diagnosed from brain imaging as having CNS opportunistic infections. A presumptive diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis was established as the working diagnosis according to the laboratory and epidemiological factors. Despite the treatment, neurological and clinical deficits worsened and eventually led to death in both patients.Conclusions:The causality analyses showed that both adverse events had a possible inconsistent causal relationship to COVID-19 vaccination. Our cases may reflect the need for further studies on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in people with HIV/AIDS-associated CNS opportunistic infection as well as people with HIV/AIDS who never receive antiretroviral treatment (ART).

Cerebrospinal Fluid Viral Load Across the Spectrum of Untreated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Infection: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study.

BackgroundThe aim of this large multicenter study was to determine variations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HIV-RNA in different phases of untreated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and its associations with plasma HIV-RNA and other biomarkers.MethodsTreatment naive adults with available CSF HIV-RNA quantification were included and divided into groups representing significant disease phases. Plasma HIV-RNA, CSF white blood cell count (WBC), neopterin, and albumin ratio were included when available.ResultsIn total, 1018 patients were included. CSF HIV-RNA was in median (interquartile range [IQR]) 1.03 log10 (0.37–1.86) copies/mL lower than in plasma, and correlated with plasma HIV-RNA (r = 0.44, P < .01), neopterin concentration in CSF (r = 0.49, P < .01) and in serum (r = 0.29, P < .01), CSF WBC (r = 0.34, P < .01) and albumin ratio (r = 0.25, P < .01). CSF HIV-RNA paralleled plasma HIV-RNA in all groups except neuroasymptomatic patients with advanced immunodeficiency (CD4 < 200) and patients with HIV-associated dementia (HAD) or opportunistic central nervous system (CNS) infections. Patients with HAD had the highest CSF HIV-RNA (in median [IQR] 4.73 (3.84–5.35) log10 copies/mL). CSF > plasma discordance was found in 126 of 972 individuals (13%) and varied between groups, from 1% in primary HIV, 11% in neuroasymptomatic groups, up to 30% of patients with HAD.ConclusionsOur study confirms previous smaller observations of variations in CSF HIV-RNA in different stages of HIV disease. Overall, CSF HIV-RNA was approximately 1 log10 copies/mL lower in CSF than in plasma, but CSF discordance was found in a substantial minority of subjects, most commonly in patients with HAD, indicating increasing CNS compartmentalization paralleling disease progression.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after daratumumab in multiple myeloma: A case report

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare severe central nervous system (CNS) opportunistic infection usually occurring in immunocompromised patients. Iatrogenic PML has been described in patients assuming treatment suppressing immune surveillance in CNS. Daratumumab is an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, used to treat Multiple Myeloma (MM), causing the destruction of suppressive cells and the increase of CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Only two cases of PML on daratumumab has been reported in literature.

Seizure in HIV-infected patients: clinical presentation, cause and treatment outcome in Ethiopia\u2014a retrospective study

BackgroundThe estimated number of adult patients living with HIV infection in Ethiopia in 2012 was approximately 800,000. Seizure occurs in 2 to 3% and 6.1% to 34.3% in patients with HIV infection and patients with neurological complications of HIV infection, respectively. Studies on HIV infection and seizure are rare in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to assess clinical presentation, cause and treatment outcome of patients with HIV infection presented with seizure.MethodsIn this retrospective study, patients aged ≥ 13 years with HIV infection presented with seizure were included. Medical records were reviewed and demographic and clinical data were collected.ResultsRecords of 146 patients were analysed. Males were 55.5% and the mean age was 34 years. The diagnosis of HIV infection was made after current hospital admission in 69% of patients. Almost all patients (98.6%) had stage 4 HIV infection with very low CD4 count (mean = 77/mm3). In almost all patients seizure was a recent onset at current admission; either it started after admission (42.5%) or within 3 months prior to admission (52.5%). The types of seizures were: generalized tonic–clonic seizure [GTCS] (69.2%), focal motor with secondarily generalization [FMWSG] (19.9%) and simple focal motor (11%). The common causes of seizure were: cerebral toxoplasmosis (46%), tuberculous meningitis (35.6%) and cryptococcal meningitis (13.7%). Case-fatality was 53% and predictors of mortality were: seizure started after admission, change in mentation and comatose at initial evaluation.ConclusionsMost patients had stage 4 HIV infection with very low CD4 count and a recent onset seizure which started within 3 months at initial evaluation. GTCS was the commonest seizure type and most causes of seizure were central nervous system opportunistic infections. The case-fatality was high and change in sensorium was an independent predictor of mortality. To prevent the high mortality and morbidity prevention of HIV infection, early diagnosis and treatment, improving diagnostic facilities and access to non-enzyme inducing antiepileptic drugs are recommended.

Anisocoria, An Unusual Physical Exam Finding Leading to a Concurrent Diagnosis of Cerebral Toxoplasmosis and HIV/AIDS

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is the most common opportunistic central nervous system (CNS) infection, affecting patients with advanced/untreated acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Cerebral toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii typically and it usually occurs in immunecompromised patients with a CD4 count below 100cell/microL [1,2]. Left untreated, symptomatic patients can progress to coma within days to weeks, significantly increasing rates of this population’s morbidity and mortality. Cerebral toxoplasmosis is rarely encountered before the diagnosis of HIV infection is established, which is why seemingly benign neurological complaints can be easily overlooked.

Blood-Brain Barrier Impairment in Patients Living with HIV: Predictors and Associated Biomarkers.

Despite the substantial changes resulting from the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remains substantial. Blood–brain barrier impairment (BBBi) is a frequent feature in people living with HIV (PLWH) and it may persist despite effective antiretroviral treatment. A cross-sectional study was performed in PLWH who underwent lumbar puncture for clinical reasons or research protocols and several cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers were studied. BBBi was defined as cerebrospinal fluid-to-serum albumin ratio (CSAR) >6.5 (<40 years) or >8 (>40 years). We included 464 participants: 147 cART-naïve and 317 on cART. Male sex was prevalent in both groups (72.1% and 72.2% respectively); median age was 44 (38–52) years in naïve and 49 (43–57) years in treated subjects. BBBi was observed in 35.4% naïve and in 22.7% treated participants; the use of integrase inhibitors was associated with a lower prevalence (18.3 vs. 30.9%, p = 0.050). At multivariate binary logistic regression (including age and sex) nadir CD4 cell count (p = 0.034), presence of central nervous system (CNS) opportunistic infections (p = 0.024) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HIV RNA (p = 0.002) in naïve participants and male sex (p = 0.021), a history of CNS opportunistic infections (p = 0.001) and CSF HIV RNA (p = 0.034) in treated patients were independently associated with BBBi. CSF cells and neopterin were significantly higher in participants with BBBi. BBBi was prevalent in naïve and treated PLWH and it was associated with CSF HIV RNA and neopterin. Systemic control of viral replication seems to be essential for BBB integrity while sex and treatment influence need further studies.

Myelin basic protein and its diagnostic value in HIV-infected individuals with 4th clinical stage and neuroinfections

It was shown that in HIV-infected patients, pathomorphological changes in the white matter in the form of demyelinization are already observed in the early stages of the disease. The most studied marker of this process is myelin basic protein that can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid or serum immediately after acute myelin breakdown.&#x0D; The aim. To assess the diagnostic value of myelin basic protein content in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of HIV-infected individuals with 4th clinical stage and central nervous system opportunistic infections.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Using ELISA with diagnostic kit “MBP ELISA” (Ansh Labs, USA), we studied the myelin basic protein content in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of 53 HIV-infected patients with 4th clinical stage and central nervous system opportunistic infections depending on its etiology, the outcome of the diseases and according to Glasgow coma scale score. As well correlation analysis with some laboratory and clinical indicators was performed.&#x0D; Results. We found significantly increased myelin basic protein content in both cerebrospinal fluid and serum of HIV-infected patients 4th clinical stage with central nervous system opportunistic infections compared to control (p˂0.01), which indicate the presence of active demyelinization in central nervous system. The highest cerebrospinal fluid myelin basic protein was registered in patients with an unfavourable outcome of the disease, as death or residual neurologic deficit, and patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis. The cerebrospinal fluid myelin basic protein had an association with the size of white matter lesions on magnetic resonance imaging and serum myelin basic protein content.&#x0D; Conclusions. Myelin basic protein detection in cerebrospinal fluid as well as in serum can serve as an additional quantitative marker of myelin disruption, which can be used along with magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis improvement and prognosis of central nervous system opportunistic infections in HIV-infected individuals with 4th clinical stage

Karakteristik Manyetik Rezonans Görüntüleme Bulguları ile Ortaya Çıkan Soliter Toksoplazmozis Olgusu

Toxoplasmosis is caused by an intracellular protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii, and is seen worldwide. In patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), it constitutes the most common opportunistic central nervous system (CNS) infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for the evaluation of CNS involvement in these patients. In our case report, we described a 53-year-old male patient presenting with a right side hemiparesis and sensorial loss, who also had a history of AIDS. He underwent computed tomography examination where a hypodense left thalamic mass lesion was found. For further characterization, an MRI examination was performed and on T1 weighted images, a hypointense mass with a peripheral incomplete hyperintense rim at the left thalamic region was found, exhibiting a lamellar appearance on T2 weighted images. The mass showed slight peripheral contrast enhancement. Multivoxel MR spectroscopy demonstrated a conspicuous lactate peak. A biopsy procedure was performed and the pathological evaluation revealed cerebral toxoplasmosis.

The clinical characteristics and outcome of cryptococcal meningitis with AIDS in a tertiary hospital in China: an observational cohort study

BackgroundDespite the profound impact of antiretroviral therapy in the control of AIDS mortality, central nervous system opportunistic infections remains a significant burden in AIDS patients. This retrospective study aims to elucidate the clinical characteristics, outcome and risk factors of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) poor prognosis in AIDS patients from a tertiary hospital in China.MethodsClinical data from 128 patients admitted in Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University from November 2008 to November 2017 was collected. The cohort was stratified based on treatment outcome (effective 79%, and ineffective 21%), and Multivariate Logistic regression analysis used to identify risk factors of poor disease prognosis.ResultsAge, incidence of cerebral infarction, the proportion of consciousness disorder, and fasting plasma glucose was higher in the ineffective treatment group than the effective treatment group. The duration of treatment in the induction period of the ineffective group was significantly shorter than that of the effective group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that the occurrence of cerebral hernia and consciousness disorder were risk factors for the prognosis of AIDS patients with CM infection, while the duration of treatment in the induction period was a indicative of a better prognosis in AIDS with CM infection complications. Finally, shunt decompression therapy correlated with a better disease outcome.ConclusionsThis retrospective study exposes the main risk factors associated with worse disease prognosis in AIDS patients with CM infection complications.

Differential Effects of AIDS and Chronic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection on Gray Matter Volume.

Age, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, illicit drug use, and central nervous system (CNS) opportunistic infections can affect brain structure, with the striatum being particularly sensitive to HIV effects. Nevertheless, the impact of non-CNS AIDS-defining illness (ADI) on brain structure has been less investigated. We examined ADI and HIV effects on brain volume. In a cross-sectional study, including 95 virally suppressed seropositive and 84 demographically matched, seronegative participants, we examined serostatus and ADI effects. Cortical and subcortical gray matter volume (GMV) regions of interest were estimated with computational neuroanatomy techniques applied to high-resolution, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data. Linear regression was used to model HIV serostatus and ADI effects on global and regional GMV, adjusting for age, sex, CD4 nadir, drug use, and total intracranial volume. While HIV serostatus was associated with lower striatal volume (B = -.59 [95% confidence interval {CI}, -1.08 to -.10]), co-occurring ADI was independently associated with lower striatal volume (B = -.73 [95% CI, -1.36 to -.09]). ADI was also associated with lower global (B = -19.35 [95% CI, -32.42 to -6.29]) and regional GMV. While HIV infection is associated with a localized effect on striatal structure, having a prior ADI is a strong predictor of smaller global and regional GMV. The lack of interaction between HIV serostatus or ADI with age suggests that chronic HIV infection and ADI have independent effects on brain structure, without associated accelerated lower volume with age. ADI history should be incorporated into statistical adjustments in HIV neuroimaging analysis. These findings also lend support to current HIV treatment guidelines urging prompt antiretroviral therapy initiation after HIV diagnosis.

CNS infections in HIV.

Central nervous system (CNS) infections associated with HIV remain significant contributors to morbidity and mortality, particularly among people living with HIV (PLWH) in resource-limited settings worldwide. In this review, we discuss several recent important scientific discoveries in the prevention, diagnosis, and management around two of the major causes of CNS opportunistic infections-tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and cryptococcal meningitis including immune reconstitution syndrome (IRIS) associated with cryptococcal meningitis. We also discuss the CNS as a possible viral reservoir, highlighting Cerebrospinal fluid viral escape. CNS infections in HIV-positive people in sub-Saharan Africa contribute to 15-25% of AIDS-related deaths. Morbidity and mortality in those is associated with delays in HIV diagnosis, lack of availability for antimicrobial treatment, and risk of CNS IRIS. The CNS may serve as a reservoir for replication, though it is unclear whether this can impact peripheral immunosuppression. Significant diagnostic and treatment advances for TBM and cryptococcal meningitis have yet to impact overall morbidity and mortality according to recent data. Lack of early diagnosis and treatment initiation, and also maintenance on combined antiretroviral treatment are the main drivers of the ongoing burden of CNS opportunistic infections. The CNS as a viral reservoir has major potential implications for HIV eradication strategies, and also control of CNS opportunistic infections.