title: CIDP in a HIV endemic population: A prospective case series from Johannesburg, South Africa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe patients with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) in Johannesburg, South Africa, a setting of high HIV prevalence, and to determine the influence, if any, of HIV on CIDP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were recruited prospectively. The study design was a hospital based case series of unselected consecutive CIDP patients. CIDP was diagnosed according to the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society criteria for the diagnosis of CIDP (First Revision). Demographic, clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological data were documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty three patients with CIDP were recruited over a two year period. Mean age was 38 years. The female to male ratio was 3.6:1. Less than half (43%) had a raised cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein. All patients had idiopathic CIDP, three had associated diabetes mellitus. Ten patients (43%) were HIV positive. Thirteen patients were HIV negative. Clinical and electrophysiological characteristics were identical in the two groups. In the HIV positive group all the patients were black females. The CD4 counts ranged from 87 to 747 cells/mm(3). HIV positive status was associated with a progressive disease course and significantly with a CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis (p=0.007). Albuminocytological dissociation was associated with HIV negative status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Testing for HIV in patients with CIDP in a region of high HIV prevalence is recommended. CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis occurs in HIV associated CIDP.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mochan
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa. Electronic address: gmodicns@mweb.co.za.
authors.forename: Girish
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Modi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CD4 count; CIDP; CSF pleocytosis; HIV; Neuropathy; Prospective case series