|
|
|
|
|
Click Here to return To Results
|
|
|
|
The prevalence of neurosyphillis in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-seropositive(HIV+)persons was assessed during the course of a study of the neurological complications of HIV-1 infection.One hundred sixty-six asymptomatic HIV+subjects,63 neurologically symptomatic HIV+ subjects,and six at-risk HIV-1-seronegative(HIV-)control subjects underwent cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)analysis on entry into this longitudinal study.Three(1.8%)of the asymptomatic HIV+subjects had both a reactive CSF VDRL test and a reactive CSF fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS)test.Two of these three subjects had a history of appropriately treated early syphilis,and all had a reactive serum rapid plasma reagin test.Of the 63 neurologically symptomatic HIV+subjects,one patient with dementia had both a reactive CSF VDRL test and a fluorescent treponemal antibody-absoprtion test.Subjective improvement in cognitive skills followed high-dose,intravenous penicillin therapy.Another subject had a penicillin-responsive myelopathy accompanied by a reactive CSF fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test result,but a nonreactive CSF VDRL. Unsuspected neurosyphilis is relatively common in our population of asymptomatic HIV+subjects and may be responsible for neurological disease in a significant minority of neurologically symptomatic HIV+persons. Cerebrospinal fluid examination should be performed in all HIV+persons with a history of syphilis or serological evidence of syphilis,regardless of prior treatment.Additionally,neurosyphilis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neurological disease in any HIV+person. |
|
(click to filter results - removes previous filter)
cerebrospinal fluid
cerebrospinal fluid,abnormal
human immunodeficiency virus type 1
human immunodeficiency virus type 1,asymptomatic
lumbar puncture
neurosyphilis
syphilis,asymptomatic
syphilis,diagnosis and treatment
|
Click Here to return To Results
|
|