title: Critical neurologic illness in the immunocompromised patient.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003221:Confusion / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone