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We retrospectively assessed the frequency and clinical characteristics of headache occurring in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected patients in whom we had excluded all other causes,and determined the frequency of a similar headache in an HIV-negative group.Over a 1-year period,the HIV- related headache occurred in 2.8%of total admissions to the HIV service as opposed to 0.2%of admissions to the neurology service.The affected patients had advanced HIV infection(CD4+cell count=58.9+/-80.3;normal,>500 x 10-6/l).The headache had features similar to those ascribed to HIV aseptic meningitis and was not related to the presence of AIDS dementia complex or its subsequent development over a 6-month follow-up.We propose that this is a distinct clinical entity related to HIV infection that is similar,if not identical,to HIV aseptic meningitis except for the lack of a CSF pleocytosis,probably reflecting the lymphocyte depletion that is characteristic of the more advanced state of HIV infection. |
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