HIV infection presenting as Guillain-Barre syndrome in Lusaka, Zambia.

Autor(es): Conlon C. P.


Resumo: Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) manifests neurological symptoms in some patients. 3 cases of ascending polyneuritis associated with HIV infection are presented. A 28-year-old female had a 2-day weakness in the lower limbs moving to the upper extremities. On admission she had left facial nerve palsy and lower motor neurone weakness of both legs as well as weakness of the upper limbs. No reflexes were present. Both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were positive for HIV antibody with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After 5 weeks ventilation she died from bronchopneumonia. The 2nd case involved a 19-year-old woman admitted with weakness in the lower limbs, left facial nerve palsy, and severe lower motor neurone weakness of the upper and lower limbs. HIV antibodies were found in serum and CSF. She improved somewhat, returned home, and was lost to follow-up. The 3rd case had to do with a 29-year- old female admitted with weakness in the lower limbs radiating to the upper limbs. She had a right facial nerve palsy and a partial left 3rd nerve palsy. Lower motor neurone weakness was present in the limbs. Serum and CSF were both positive for HIV antibody. Her condition improved, and 1 month later she was discharged. It is probable that HIV was directly implicated in the neurological disease. It is possible that Guillain-Bare syndrome is a manifestation of seroconversion, but this hypothesis could only be proven if previous sera samples were available.


Palavras-Chave: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome--complications, Africa, Africa South Of The Sahara, Biology, Case Histories, Data Collection, Developing Countries, Diseases, Eastern Africa, English Speaking Africa, Hiv Infections--complications, Neurologic Effects, Physiology, Research Methodology, Viral Diseases, Zambia


Imprenta: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, v. 83, n. 1, p. 109, 1989


Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1016/0035-9203(89)90730-X


Descritores: Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Pathogenesis ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Antibodies ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Antibodies ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Viral infections ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Virus


Data de publicação: 1989