[Study of human immunodeficiency virus in the cerebrospinal fluid. Value and limitations]

Several markers of HIV infection can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid, including viruses that are replicable in cell cultures, viral antigens and, at an early stage, stigmas of immunization against the virus. Some studies make a distinction between HIV isolated in cerebrospinal fluid and in serum. Cerebrospinal HIV isolates differ from serum isolates in their macrophage tropism, their antigenicity and their low cytotoxicity, but there is little difference in their capacity for replication. Studies aimed at finding virological markers to diagnose HIV-induced neurological lesions have given discordant results. Longitudinal studies are necessary to determine prognostic markers. New techniques, such as amplification by polymerase chain reaction, will perhaps provide new data.