Recurrent stroke as a manifestation of primary angiitis of the central nervous system in a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
BACKGROUND
Cerebral vasculitis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is usually related to additional or secondary infectious agents other than neoplastic diseases or HIV itself.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a 31-year-old patient infected with HIV who presented with 2 recurrent, acute episodes of neurologic impairment in a 5-month period.


METHODS
Comparison of clinical and histologic data between the present case and previously published cases.


METHODS
Community hospital.


METHODS
A 31-year-old, HIV-infected patient with recurrent strokes and chronic lymphocytic meningitis.


METHODS
After ruling out cardiac embolisms and coagulation disorders, the presence of central nervous system vasculitis, probably secondary to an infectious process, was suspected based on the clinical examination and cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities.


RESULTS
Necropsy findings suggest the diagnosis of primary angiitis of the central nervous system, and the only infectious agent that could be found was HIV.


CONCLUSIONS
Histologic studies were compatible with a diagnosis of primary angiitis of the central nervous system, but the pathogenic role of HIV in the genesis of the vasculitic process cannot be elucidated.
Nogueras
Carmen
C
Department of Internal Medicine, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Parc Taulí s/n, Sabadell, 08208 Barcelona, Spain. msala@cspt.es
Sala
Montserrat
M
Sasal
Mercè
M
Viñas
Jaume
J
Garcia
Natalia
N
Bella
Maria-Rosa
MR
Cervantes
Manuel
M
Segura
Ferran
F
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D015658:HIV Infections; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D020293:Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*