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An increased prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency has been reported in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV).We report an unexpectedly high prevalence(20%)of such abnormal vitamin B12 metabolism in a population of HIV-infected patients referred for neurological evaluation.This abnormality was associated with both peripheral neuropathy and myelopathy.A majority of those treated with cyanocobalamin had a therapeutic response.Selected neuropathological results suggest a relationship between B12 deficiency and vacuolar myelopathy.Vitamin B12 deficiency may be a frequent and treatable cause of neurological dysfunction in patients with HIV infection. |
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