Electrophysiological study (VEP, BAEP) in HIV-1 seropositive patients with and without AIDS

One hundred-twenty nine HIV-1 seropositive patients (39 females, 90 males) were studied by means of pattern visual evoked potential (VEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) recording. Utilizing the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control the patients were clinically defined and then subdivided into four groups: group A included patients of category II (n:11); group B patients of category III (n:29); group C patients of category IVa and IVc2 (n:55) and group D patients belonging to the other subgroups of category IV (n:34). EP were altered in 26.35% of the entire group with a marked prevalence of BAEP alterations (21.7%) rather than of VEP (4.65%). A considerable amount of BAEP abnormalities (24.13%) were found in patients with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (group B). A significant increase of BAEP mean interpeak latencies were observed in group B, C, D patients when compared with those of the control group. On the whole, EP were altered in 20.65% of the neurologically asymptomatic patients. EP alterations may precede any clinical manifestation and can be found during the earlier phases of HIV-1 infection.