title: Susac's syndrome as HIV-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.
abstract: Susac's Syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune endotheliopathy of cerebral, retinal and cochlear arterioles. We report of an HIV-infected woman who developed a first SS episode following a spontaneous reduction of plasma viral load and several relapses six years later, following initiation of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins alone did not control the disease, which improved after combined treatment with acyclovir and ganciclovir. SS onset in HIV infection and relapses during cART-induced immune reconstitution are consistent with the dysimmune nature of the disease. The response to anti-herpes drugs suggests a viral contribute in this case of SS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. ferretti.francesca@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferretti
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerevini
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guffanti
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Franciotta
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lazzarin
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cinque