Critical neurologic illness in the immunocompromised patient

Immunocompromised patients are vulnerable to a host of neurologic problems that may complicate their clinical course and necessitate intensive care. Atypical and opportunistic infections represent the primary concern in such patients and can cause a variety of neurologic complications. In addition, these patients are susceptible to neurologic dysfunction induced by drugs or underlying disease states. This article emphasizes the diagnostic approach to selected clinical syndromes in the immunocompromised patient, such as encephalopathy, seizures, and stroke.