Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
14:28

Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners

Published on: June 30, 2013

Neurological and neuropathological features of human immunodeficiency virus infection in children

L G Epstein1, L R Sharer, J Goudsmit

  • 1Department of Neurosciences, UMD-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103-2757.

Annals of Neurology
|January 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause a progressive encephalopathy in children, leading to severe neurological deficits and poor outcomes. Research is needed to understand HIV transmission to prevent childhood infections.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Virology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • A significant percentage of infants and children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) develop progressive encephalopathy.
  • HIV antigen expression in cerebrospinal fluid correlates with this neurological condition.
  • Neuropathological findings include unique virus-laden macrophages and multinucleated giant cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cause of progressive encephalopathy in children with HIV infection.
  • To highlight the clinical manifestations and poor prognosis associated with HIV-related encephalopathy.
  • To emphasize the need for research into mother-to-infant HIV transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical observation of HIV-infected children with neurological symptoms.
  • Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for HIV antigen expression.
  • Neuropathological examination of brain tissue.

Main Results:

  • Progressive encephalopathy presents with loss of developmental milestones, impaired brain growth, and motor dysfunction.
  • HIV antigen presence in CSF is linked to encephalopathy development.
  • Primary HIV brain infection is hypothesized as the cause, distinct from opportunistic infections.

Conclusions:

  • HIV-related progressive encephalopathy in children has a poor, often fatal, prognosis.
  • The findings support a primary viral brain infection mechanism.
  • Urgent research into mother-to-infant HIV transmission is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies.

More Related Videos

Quantification of Cerebral Vascular Architecture using Two-photon Microscopy in a Mouse Model of HIV-induced Neuroinflammation10:04

Quantification of Cerebral Vascular Architecture using Two-photon Microscopy in a Mouse Model of HIV-induced Neuroinflammation

Published on: January 12, 2016

A Rat Model of EcoHIV Brain Infection08:48

A Rat Model of EcoHIV Brain Infection

Published on: January 21, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly01:19

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...