Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Opportunistic Infections and Beyond

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a global health concern, leading to significant morbidity and mortality.
• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically improved HIV patient survival and reduced opportunistic infections (OIs) over the past two decades.
• Central nervous system (CNS) opportunistic infections (OIs) persist as a major source of morbidity in HIV-infected individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the evolving landscape of neurological complications in HIV patients.
• To emphasize the impact of ART on the presentation of CNS OI and other neurological conditions.
• To underscore the importance of imaging in diagnosing and managing neurological manifestations in HIV.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on HIV neurology and neuroimaging.
• Analysis of the impact of ART on the incidence and presentation of CNS OI.
• Correlation of imaging findings with clinical and laboratory data in HIV patients.

Main Results:

• Despite ART, CNS OIs remain a significant cause of morbidity in HIV patients.
• Increased survival due to ART has led to more neurological presentations from comorbidities, treatment side effects, and inflammatory syndromes.
• Radiologists and clinicians must integrate imaging findings with clinical context for accurate diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Familiarity with neuroimaging findings is crucial for managing HIV-infected patients.
• Understanding the influence of ART on neurological conditions is essential for healthcare providers.
• Multidisciplinary interpretation of imaging, clinical, and laboratory data improves patient outcomes.