Neurological manifestations in HIV seropositive patients: A study of 40 patients

 

 

Abstract              Background: The true prevalence of HIV related neuroinfections and pathology is not available due to inadequate medical facilities, social stigma and ignorance that lead to under diagnosis. Published reports of Neurological manifestations of HIV infection especially from this part of country are limited where some opportunistic infections are more common. Objective: To study the pattern of neurological manifestations in PLHA. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study conducted in medicine department of J.J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai involving 40 diagnosed cases of HIV/ AIDS and with suspected neurological infection. Results: Out of 37 males, majority i.e. 20(54.1%) were from 21 to 30 years age group followed by 8 i.e. 21.6% from 31 to 40 years age group. All 3 i.e. 100% women were from 21 to 30 years age group. 17 (42.5%), altered sensorium was the common most symptom. Tubercular lesion constituted the majority of neurological complications (28.6%) followed by the various neuropathies (11.8%) and cerebral toxoplasmosis (11.8%) in this study. Prevalence of tubercular meningitis was 32.5%.Conclusion: Commonly observed neurological opportunistic infections weretubercular meningitis was 32.5%, followed by toxoplasmosis 10% and 5% prevalence was found in case of spinal cord lesion and neuropathies.

Key Word:HIV, neurological manifestations