title: Human immunodeficiency virus-associated myopathy: analysis of 11 patients.
abstract: Neuromuscular disorders reported in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection include several forms of peripheral neuropathy and polymyositis. We report 11 patients with HIV-associated myopathy. Five patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), 2 with AIDS-related complex, and 4 otherwise asymptomatic HIV-infected patients developed progressive proximal muscle weakness. Serum creatine phosphokinase levels were elevated and electromyography revealed abnormal spontaneous activity and myopathy in most patients. All 8 muscle biopsy specimens showed fiber necrosis. Four had inflammatory infiltrates, and nemaline rod bodies were prominent in 3. Immunosuppressant therapy in 5 patients resulted in improvement. Attempts at viral localization in 4 muscle biopsy specimens were unsuccessful. These findings suggest a distinct association between HIV infection and myopathy with features atypical for polymyositis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Bender
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000473:pathology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission