CNS infections carry high mortality and morbidity in HIV infected individuals. These are caused by a variety of pathogens. The incidence and prevalence varies according to the geography and patient factors. Central nervous system complications associated with include both infectious and non infectious sysndrome. Infections can be due to HIV virus per se or opportunistic agents.
The diagnosis of these is often challenging as the symptoms and signs are often confounded by other systemic infections, malignancies, vascular complications and neurological side effects of anti-retroviral drugs. Like all lentiviruses, HIV can cause chronic neurological infection in the host. HIV infects the brain early in the course of the disease, even before the onset of neurological deficit. Factors affecting entry of HIV into CNS Neurovirulence of the infecting strain Degree of immunosuppression Anti…
