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[Changes in the cerebrospinal fluid in patients with HIV infection]
I Santos1, I García-Polo, C del Arco
1Servicio de Medicina Interna-Infecciosas, Hospital de la Princesa, Madrid.
Abstract:
Spinal fluid from 53 HIV infected patients has been reviewed. A diagnosis was made exclusively from the spinal fluid exam in 15 cases while in 15 others it contributed to diagnosis together with other exams. The exam did not contribute any positive data in 23 cases. AIDS diagnosis was obtained in 11 patients by the spinal fluid exam. The most frequently occurring disease was infectious meningitis (10 cases) being 3 of them HIV aseptic meningitis. In our experience, a spinal fluid exam in HIV infected patients and fever of unknown origin did contribute useful data for the diagnosis of AIDS in a large number of cases.
Insights
Spinal fluid analysis aids in diagnosing conditions in HIV patients, particularly for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and infectious meningitis. This diagnostic tool proved valuable in a significant number of cases reviewed.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Context:
- Review of spinal fluid analyses from 53 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients.
- Focus on the diagnostic utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination in HIV-positive individuals presenting with fever of unknown origin.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the contribution of spinal fluid examination to the diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other conditions in HIV-infected patients.
- To determine the frequency of specific diseases, such as infectious meningitis, diagnosed via CSF analysis in this population.
Summary:
- Spinal fluid examination facilitated diagnosis in 30 out of 53 HIV patients (15 exclusively, 15 contributing with other tests).
- AIDS was diagnosed via CSF in 11 patients.
- Infectious meningitis was the most common diagnosis (10 cases), including 3 cases of HIV-associated aseptic meningitis.
Impact:
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis provides crucial diagnostic data for HIV-infected patients, aiding in the identification of AIDS and various infections.
- Highlights the importance of CSF examination in the etiological investigation of fever of unknown origin in the context of HIV infection.