1/98. trypanosoma cruzi meningoencephalitis in hiv-infected patients.Five cases of trypanosoma cruzi meningoencephalitis in hiv-infected patients are reported. All patients presented with mass lesions on head computed tomographic scan, trypanosomes in the cerebrospinal fluid and failure to respond to antitoxoplasmosis therapy. Benznidazole therapy was associated with clinical improvement in 1 patient. Another 4 patients had T cruzi identified in a peripheral smear. T cruzi needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of hiv-infected patients with central nervous system mass lesions if they have a history of appropriate exposure.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/98. Impact of cerebrospinal fluid PCR on the management of hiv-infected patients with varicella-zoster virus infection of the central nervous system.Over a 2 year period, we identified five hiv-infected patients who presented with central nervous system infection caused by varicella-zoster virus, three with myelitits, and two with meningoencephalitis. All five patients were profoundly immunocompromised. Clinical presentation of these patients overlapped to a significant extent with diseases caused by other viruses, e.g. CMV. Indeed, in one case, a dual infection with CMV was diagnosed, but the respective role of each virus was ascertained by in situ hybridisation. At the time of CNS involvement, only one patient had active VZV cutaneous lesions, which were instrumental in diagnosing her condition. In contrast, PCR for VZV dna in the CSF was helpful in making a diagnosis in the four other cases, one of which was confirmed by a post mortem. Of these five patients, two patients developed VZV disease while receiving oral acyclovir and had foscarnet treatment initiated when MRI demonstrated widespread lesions. They did not respond to antiviral therapy. The three other patients had intravenous acyclovir initiated at a time when no or limited parenchymal lesions were observed by MRI. Two of these three patients had VZV infection diagnosed solely on the basis of PCR: all three responded to treatment. Our data show that reactivation of VZV involving the central nervous system occurs frequently in the absence of cutaneous lesions. PCR of cerebrospinal fluid may help in making an early diagnosis which is probably a prerequisite for successful treatment of VZV infection of the CNS.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/98. Wall-eyed bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia in central nervous system cryptococcosis.Only one case of wall-eyed bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia (WEBINO) has been described in central nervous system cryptococcosis. The disorder was initially unilateral, then became bilateral with skew deviation and vertical upgaze deficit. We report a case of WEBINO in central nervous system cryptococcosis in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. magnetic resonance imaging revealed high signal on T2 images in the right midbrain, left frontal vertex, left splenium, and cerebellum. With treatment, the internuclear ophthalmoplegia improved; however, the convergence insufficiency remained. Disruption of input from cortical supranuclear locations or the region of the rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus has been proposed as a mechanism in the absence of convergence. This correlates in our patient with the lesions seen on magnetic resonance images.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/98. bk virus as the cause of meningoencephalitis, retinitis and nephritis in a patient with AIDS.BACKGROUND: The two widely spread human polyomaviruses, bk virus (BKV) and jc virus (JCV) establish latency in the urinary tract, and can be reactivated in AIDS. JCV might cause progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy, but although up to 60% of AIDS patients excrete BKV in the urine there have been few reports of BKV-related renal and/or neurological disease in AIDS. OBJECTIVE: To report on an AIDS patient with progressive renal and neurological symptoms involving the retina. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Venhalsan, Soder Hospital, Stockholm, sweden. methods: The brain, eye tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analysed by nested PCR for polyoma-virus dna. Macroscopical and microscopical examination were performed of the kidney and brain post mortem. Immunohistochemical stainings for the two BKV proteins, the VP1 and the agnoprotein, were performed on autopsy material and virus infected tissue culture cells. RESULTS: BKV could be demonstrated in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, eye tissues, kidneys and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CONCLUSION: During 6 years, approximately 400 cerebrospinal fluid samples from immunosuppressed individuals with neurological symptoms have been investigated by PCR for the presence of polyomaviruses. BKV dna has, so far, only been found in the case reported here. Although reports of BKV infections in the nervous system are rare, there is now evidence for its occurrence in immunocompromised patients and the diagnosis should be considered in such patients with neurological symptoms and signs of renal disease. The diagnosis is simple to verify and is important to establish.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/98. hiv infection and seizures.New-onset seizures are frequent manifestations of central nervous system disorders in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (hiv). seizures are more common in advanced stages of the disease, although they may occur early in the course of illness. In the majority of patients, seizures are of the generalised type. status epilepticus is also frequent. Associated metabolic abnormalities increase the risk for status epilepticus. Cerebral mass lesions, cryptococcal meningitis, and hiv-encephalopathy are common causes of seizures. phenytoin is the most commonly prescribed anticonvulsant in this situation, although several patients may experience hypersensitivity reactions. The prognosis of seizure disorders in hiv-infected patients depends upon the underlying cause.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/98. central nervous system toxoplasmosis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: An emerging disease in india.With the incidence of patients infected with human immuno-deficiency virus (hiv) increasing in india, the central nervous system (CNS) manifestations of the disease will be seen more frequently. The CNS may be primarily afflicted by the virus or by opportunistic infections and neoplasms secondary to the immune suppression caused by the virus. In india, although mycobacterium tuberculosis has been reported to be the most common opportunistic infection, toxoplasmosis may become as common owing to the ubiquitous nature of the protozoan. Since an empirical trial of medical therapy without histopathological diagnosis is recommended, the true incidence of this condition may remain under estimated. The role of ancillary tests such as radiology and serology in the initial diagnosis of this condition remain crucial. This report highlights two patients who were diagnosed to have acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) only after the biopsy of the intracranial lesion was reported as toxoplasmosis. Presently all patients for elective neurosurgery are tested for hiv antigen. The management protocol to be followed in a known patient with AIDS presenting with CNS symptoms is discussed in detail. The value of ancillary tests is also reviewed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/98. A case of hiv-associated cerebral histoplasmosis successfully treated with fluconazole.Clinically apparent involvement of the central nervous system is a rare event in cases of disseminated histoplasmosis, even in hiv-infected persons. Despite therapy with amphotericin b, mortality remains very high. Reported here is the case of an hiv-infected patient with a 3-month history of fever, cough, weight loss and miliary lung infiltrates. Four weeks after initiation of tuberculostatic therapy, high-grade fever, neurological symptoms, personality changes and respiratory deterioration occurred. magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed multiple mass lesions, and a chest radiograph revealed worsening of pulmonary infiltrates. methenamine silver staining of a lung biopsy specimen demonstrated histoplasma capsulatum. Subsequently, this pathogen was cultured from lavage fluid. Following high-dose intravenous fluconazole therapy (800 mg once daily), the patient's condition improved markedly within 10 days, followed by an almost complete resolution of pulmonary and cerebral mass lesions. This is believed to be the first documented case of rapid improvement of disseminated histoplasmosis with central nervous system involvement in an hiv-infected patient upon induction of therapy with fluconazole.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/98. Failure of screening to detect hiv in a foreign laborer who died of toxoplasmosis of the central nervous system.The most common neurologic complication in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is cerebral toxoplasmosis. patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis have characteristic findings on clinical examination and neuroimaging. They require prolonged treatment and have a considerable mortality rate. We report a case of cerebral toxoplasmosis in a foreign laborer with AIDS, in whom a human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) screening test failed to detect-hiv infection. The patient, a 23-year-old man from thailand, presented in a confused state 2 weeks after his arrival in taiwan. Computed tomography showed a mass effect, and magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple ring-enhanced lesions in the cerebrum. serologic tests were positive for anti-hiv antibody and also showed high anti-toxoplasma immunoglobulin g titers. Although symptomatic treatment was initiated, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly and he died of multiple organ failure due to brain stem herniation a few days after admission. As the number of foreign laborers working in taiwan has increased dramatically in recent years, the issues raised by this case are the efficacy of our screening protocols for foreign laborers and the increased occupational hazards encountered by medical personnel in taiwan.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4keywords = nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/98. coccidioidomycosis meningitis with massive dural and cerebral venous thrombosis and tissue arthroconidia.To our knowledge we report the first case of meningitis from coccidioides immitis associated with massive dural and cerebral venous thrombosis and with mycelial forms of the organism in brain tissue. The patient was a 43-year-old man with late-stage acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) whose premortem and postmortem cultures confirmed C immitis as the only central nervous system pathogenic organism. death was attributable to multiple hemorrhagic venous infarctions with cerebral edema and herniation. Although phlebitis has been noted parenthetically to occur in C immitis meningitis in the past, it has been overshadowed by the arteritic complications of the disease. This patient's severe C immitis ventriculitis with adjacent venulitis appeared to be the cause of the widespread venous thrombosis. AIDS-related coagulation defects may have contributed to his thrombotic tendency.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/98. Bacillary angiomatosis affecting the oral cavity. Report of two cases and review.Bacillary angiomatosis (BA) is an infectious disease characterized by proliferative vascular lesions; it mainly affects hiv-positive patients. Multiple cutaneous nodular lesions together with fever, chills, malaise, anorexia, vomiting and headache are the most important clinical manifestations. It may also involve the heart, liver, spleen, bones, lung, muscles, lymph nodes, central nervous system and other organs. erythromycin, 500 mg four times a day, is the drug of choice. The importance of this lesion lies in its clinical and histological similarity with other diseases. Cutaneous and oral lesions of BA clinically resemble Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Histopathologically, BA may be confused with angiosarcoma, pyogenic granuloma and epithelioid hemangioma. We report two hiv-positive men with BA lesions in the oral mucosa. Diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy and Warthin-Starry silver staining.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nervous system (Clic here for more details about this article) |
| | Next -> |