title: Abnormal vitamin B12 metabolism in human immunodeficiency virus infection. Association with neurological dysfunction.
abstract: An increased prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency has been reported in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We report an unexpectedly high prevalence (20%) of such abnormal vitamin B12 metabolism in a population of HIV-infected patients referred for neurological evaluation. This abnormality was associated with both peripheral neuropathy and myelopathy. A majority of those treated with cyanocobalamin had a therapeutic response. Selected neuropathological results suggest a relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and vacuolar myelopathy. Vitamin B12 deficiency may be a frequent and treatable cause of neurological dysfunction in patients with HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, School of Medicine, NY 14642.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Kieburtz
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Giang
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Schiffer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vakil
mesh_terms: D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014805:Vitamin B 12