Source
Editora Elsevier
Revista Científica ‘Parkinsonism and Related Disorders’
Authors
Jose Luiz Pedroso, Thiago Cardoso Vale, Maria Thereza Drumond Gama, Gustavo Ribas, Julio C.G. Kristochik, Francisco M.B. Germiniani, Maria Cristina Domingues da Silva Fink, Augusto Cesar Penalva de Oliveira, Helio A.G. Teive e Orlando G. Barsottini.
Abstract
Introduction
The spectrum of neurologic disorders associated with HIV infection is very broad, resulting from direct virus invasion, opportunistic infections, malignancies and toxic effects of drugs.
Methods
Among a large cohort of ataxia patients (N = 1050) evaluated between 2008 and 2017, we detected four patients with HIV-infection who developed a pure progressive cerebellar ataxia syndrome combined with cerebellar atrophy.
Results
Adverse drug effects, opportunistic infections and malignancies as well as immune-reconstitution syndrome were ruled out based on history and laboratory data. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms of ataxia in HIV patients is not very clear, but seems to be immune-mediated or a direct neurotoxic virus effect leading to apoptosis of Purkinje and granular cells.
Conclusion
HIV infection should be investigated in adult patients with undetermined sporadic progressive pure ataxia with cerebellar atrophy.
Cerebellar degeneration and progressive ataxia associated with HIV-virus infection
Download link here