Painful neuropathy vasculitis in 2 patients with long-standing human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection

Scand J Infect Dis. 2004;36(5):392-3. doi: 10.1080/00365540410019093.

Abstract

We describe 2 most unusual cases of distal symmetrical painful polyneuropathy in patients with long-standing HIV-1 infection well controlled by HAART. Sural nerve biopsies revealed vasculitis in both cases and steroid therapy led to resolution of symptoms not influenced by analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. These unusual cases outline the importance of nerve biopsies in order to reach a diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Long-Term Care
  • Male
  • Pain / complications*
  • Pain / diagnosis
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain Measurement
  • Polyneuropathies / complications*
  • Polyneuropathies / diagnosis
  • Polyneuropathies / drug therapy
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasculitis / complications
  • Vasculitis / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Prednisone