title: Opportunistic Neurologic Infections in Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
abstract: Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality despite the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) especially in the resource-limited regions of the world. Diagnosis of these infections may be challenging because findings on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and brain imaging are nonspecific. While brain biopsy provides a definitive diagnosis, it is an invasive procedure associated with a relatively low mortality rate, thus less invasive modalities have been studied in recent years. Diagnosis, therefore, can be established based on a combination of a compatible clinical syndrome, radiologic and CSF findings, and understanding of the role of HIV in these infections. The most common CNS opportunistic infections are AIDS-defining conditions; thus, treatment of these infections in combination with HAART has greatly improved survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA. Fritzie.Albarillo@presencehealth.org.|Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Presence Resurrection Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. Fritzie.Albarillo@presencehealth.org.|Northwest Infectious Disease Consultants SC, 7900 Milwaukee Ave. Suite 231A, Niles, IL, 60714, USA. Fritzie.Albarillo@presencehealth.org.
authors.forename: Fritzie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Albarillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Avenue, Building 102, Room 7604, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA. pokeefe@lumc.edu.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy
keywords: AIDS; CNS infections; HIV; Opportunistic infections