HIV-Associated Neurocysticercosis

J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care. 2015 Mar-Apr;14(2):120-2. doi: 10.1177/2325957414555232. Epub 2014 Oct 20.

Abstract

Few cases of HIV and neurocysticercosis co-infection have been reported till date. The symptomatic manifestation of cysticercosis may be further reduced by interactions between the 2 disease processes. In patients with HIV, the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis is challenging and management must be individualized depending on the stage and the coexistent opportunistic conditions. We present 2 such cases. First was a 35-year-old driver seropositive for HIV-1 presented with complex partial seizures and a CD4 count of 530 cells/mm(3). The second case was a 40-year-old businessman with a CD4 count of 350 cells/mm(3). Both of them had multiple parenchymal lesions, with 1 being a large cystic lesion. Relatively high CD4 count and a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay increased the likelihood for diagnosis and treatment. Both of our patients received cysticidal therapy, and none of them deteriorated with treatment.

Keywords: HIV; neurocysticercosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Coinfection / diagnosis
  • Coinfection / diagnostic imaging
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neurocysticercosis / complications
  • Neurocysticercosis / diagnosis*
  • Neurocysticercosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography