Wernicke's encephalopathy in AIDS: a preventable cause of fatal neurological deficit.
Wernicke's encephalopathy is commonly associated with chronic alcohol abuse, but may also occur in patients with poor nutritional status. We report a case of acute Wernicke's encephalopathy in a patient with AIDS without any predisposing risk factors for thiamine deficiency. In developing countries, without vitamin supplementation, this disorder may play a role in the morbidity and mortality associated with AIDS. We believe that thiamine supplementation should be considered in cachetic AIDS patients, especially where access to antiretroviral therapy is limited.
Special Immunology, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Miami, Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Unit, 1500 NW 12th Ave 8th Fl, West Miami, Florida 33136, USA. malcaide@hotmail.com
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Alcaide
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Jayaweera
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Espinoza
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Kolber
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014899:Wernicke Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control