title: New-onset seizure in HIV-infected adult Zambians: A search for causes and consequences.
abstract: To identify the etiology of new-onset seizure in HIV-infected Zambian adults and identify risk factors for seizure recurrence.
  
  
  
  A prospective cohort study enrolling HIV-infected adults with new-onset seizure within 2 weeks of index seizure obtained clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging data to determine seizure etiology. Participants were followed to identify risk factors for seizure recurrence. Risk factors for mortality were examined as mortality rates were unexpectedly high.
  
  
  
  Eighty-one patients with CSF for analysis were enrolled and followed for a median of 306 days (interquartile range 61-636). Most (91%) were at WHO stage III/IV and 66 (81%) had a pre-seizure Karnofsky score ≥50. Prolonged or multiple seizures occurred in 46 (57%), including 12 (15%) with status epilepticus. Seizure etiologies included CNS opportunistic infections (OI) in 21 (26%), hyponatremia in 23 (28%), and other infections in 8 (10%). OIs included Cryptococcus (17%), JC virus (7%) and 5% each for tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, and varicella-zoster virus. No etiology could be identified in 16 (20%). Thirty (37%) patients died during follow-up and 20 (25%) had recurrent seizures with survival being the only identifiable risk factor.
  
  
  
  HIV-infected adults with new-onset seizure in Zambia often have advanced HIV disease with OI being the most frequent seizure etiology. Seizure recurrence is common but no risk factors for recurrence other than survival were identified. These findings suggest an urgent need for immune reconstitution in this population. Initiating treatment for seizure prophylaxis where only enzyme-inducing antiepileptic medications are available could threaten antiretroviral efficacy.
authors.affiliation: From the Global Neurology Program, Department of Neurology (O.K.S., I.J.K.), and Center for Virology and Vaccines Research, Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA-SOM), Lusaka; College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.); Clinical Epilepsy Division (W.H.T.), United States National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; HIV Evaluation Unit (J.F.O.), Infectious Disease Service, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka; Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), and Strong Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; Department of Radiology (M.J.P.), Lusaka Apex Medical University; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) (I.S.), Lusaka; and Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Chikankata Hospital, Mazabuka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Omar K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Siddiqi
authors.affiliation: From the Global Neurology Program, Department of Neurology (O.K.S., I.J.K.), and Center for Virology and Vaccines Research, Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA-SOM), Lusaka; College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.); Clinical Epilepsy Division (W.H.T.), United States National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; HIV Evaluation Unit (J.F.O.), Infectious Disease Service, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka; Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), and Strong Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; Department of Radiology (M.J.P.), Lusaka Apex Medical University; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) (I.S.), Lusaka; and Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Chikankata Hospital, Mazabuka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Elafros
authors.affiliation: From the Global Neurology Program, Department of Neurology (O.K.S., I.J.K.), and Center for Virology and Vaccines Research, Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA-SOM), Lusaka; College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.); Clinical Epilepsy Division (W.H.T.), United States National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; HIV Evaluation Unit (J.F.O.), Infectious Disease Service, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka; Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), and Strong Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; Department of Radiology (M.J.P.), Lusaka Apex Medical University; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) (I.S.), Lusaka; and Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Chikankata Hospital, Mazabuka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bositis
authors.affiliation: From the Global Neurology Program, Department of Neurology (O.K.S., I.J.K.), and Center for Virology and Vaccines Research, Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA-SOM), Lusaka; College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.); Clinical Epilepsy Division (W.H.T.), United States National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; HIV Evaluation Unit (J.F.O.), Infectious Disease Service, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka; Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), and Strong Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; Department of Radiology (M.J.P.), Lusaka Apex Medical University; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) (I.S.), Lusaka; and Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Chikankata Hospital, Mazabuka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Igor J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Koralnik
authors.affiliation: From the Global Neurology Program, Department of Neurology (O.K.S., I.J.K.), and Center for Virology and Vaccines Research, Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA-SOM), Lusaka; College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.); Clinical Epilepsy Division (W.H.T.), United States National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; HIV Evaluation Unit (J.F.O.), Infectious Disease Service, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka; Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), and Strong Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; Department of Radiology (M.J.P.), Lusaka Apex Medical University; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) (I.S.), Lusaka; and Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Chikankata Hospital, Mazabuka, Zambia.
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Theodore
authors.affiliation: From the Global Neurology Program, Department of Neurology (O.K.S., I.J.K.), and Center for Virology and Vaccines Research, Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA-SOM), Lusaka; College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.); Clinical Epilepsy Division (W.H.T.), United States National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; HIV Evaluation Unit (J.F.O.), Infectious Disease Service, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka; Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), and Strong Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; Department of Radiology (M.J.P.), Lusaka Apex Medical University; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) (I.S.), Lusaka; and Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Chikankata Hospital, Mazabuka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Jason F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Okulicz
authors.affiliation: From the Global Neurology Program, Department of Neurology (O.K.S., I.J.K.), and Center for Virology and Vaccines Research, Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA-SOM), Lusaka; College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.); Clinical Epilepsy Division (W.H.T.), United States National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; HIV Evaluation Unit (J.F.O.), Infectious Disease Service, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka; Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), and Strong Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; Department of Radiology (M.J.P.), Lusaka Apex Medical University; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) (I.S.), Lusaka; and Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Chikankata Hospital, Mazabuka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kalungwana
authors.affiliation: From the Global Neurology Program, Department of Neurology (O.K.S., I.J.K.), and Center for Virology and Vaccines Research, Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA-SOM), Lusaka; College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.); Clinical Epilepsy Division (W.H.T.), United States National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; HIV Evaluation Unit (J.F.O.), Infectious Disease Service, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka; Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), and Strong Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; Department of Radiology (M.J.P.), Lusaka Apex Medical University; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) (I.S.), Lusaka; and Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Chikankata Hospital, Mazabuka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Potchen
authors.affiliation: From the Global Neurology Program, Department of Neurology (O.K.S., I.J.K.), and Center for Virology and Vaccines Research, Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA-SOM), Lusaka; College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.); Clinical Epilepsy Division (W.H.T.), United States National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; HIV Evaluation Unit (J.F.O.), Infectious Disease Service, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka; Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), and Strong Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; Department of Radiology (M.J.P.), Lusaka Apex Medical University; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) (I.S.), Lusaka; and Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Chikankata Hospital, Mazabuka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Izukanji
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sikazwe
authors.affiliation: From the Global Neurology Program, Department of Neurology (O.K.S., I.J.K.), and Center for Virology and Vaccines Research, Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA-SOM), Lusaka; College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.); Clinical Epilepsy Division (W.H.T.), United States National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; HIV Evaluation Unit (J.F.O.), Infectious Disease Service, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia (UNZA), Lusaka; Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), and Strong Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), University of Rochester, NY; Department of Radiology (M.J.P.), Lusaka Apex Medical University; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) (I.S.), Lusaka; and Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Chikankata Hospital, Mazabuka, Zambia. gretchen_birbeck@urmc.rochester.edu.
authors.forename: Gretchen L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Birbeck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers