HIV-associated opportunistic infections of the CNS

Lancet Neurol. 2012 Jul;11(7):605-17. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(12)70098-4.

Abstract

Survival in people infected with HIV has improved because of an increasingly powerful array of antiretroviral treatments, but neurological symptoms due to comorbid conditions, including infection with hepatitis C virus, malnutrition, and the effects of accelerated cardiovascular disease and ageing, are increasingly salient. A therapeutic gap seems to exist between the salutary effects of antiretroviral regimens and the normalisation of neurological function in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Despite the advances in antiretroviral therapy, CNS opportunistic infections remain a serious burden worldwide. Most opportunistic infections can be recognised by a combination of characteristic clinical and radiological features and are treatable, but some important challenges remain in the diagnosis and management of HIV-associated opportunistic infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / therapy
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Central Nervous System Infections / diagnosis*
  • Central Nervous System Infections / etiology
  • Central Nervous System Infections / therapy*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents