The frequency and profile of neurology in black South African HIV infected (clade C) patients - a hospital-based prospective audit.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and spectrum of neurological illnesses in Black South African hospital-based HIV infected (clade C) patients.


METHODS
A prospective audit of 506 consecutive HIV infected medical inpatients at the Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.


RESULTS
The patients had a mean age of 37 years; a male:female ratio of 1.2:1; a mean CD4 count of 107 cells/ml. Eighty four percent of patients had AIDS defining CD4 counts (less than 200 cells/ml). Seventy five percent of patients had a neurological illness. In 64% the neurological illness occurred in association with a non-neurological (systemic) illness. Eleven percent of patients had an isolated neurological illness. The predominant systemic illness was tuberculosis (TB), occurring with a frequency of 46%. The neurological spectrum in our patients was similar to that described in the literature, (clade B virus data) other than for a greater frequency of infectious illnesses.


CONCLUSIONS
The neurological profile of HIV infection is a function of the environment and the immunological state of the patient (CD4 count) rather than an influence of the clade.
Modi
Girish
G
Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. gmodicns@mweb.co.za
Hari
Kapila
K
Modi
Mala
M
Mochan
Andre
A
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000208:ethnology*; D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000208:ethnology*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D044383:Black People; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000208:ethnology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000276:immunology; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014600:Utilization Review