81
Letter to the Editor / Editöre Mektup
DOI:10.4274/tnd.94758
Turk J Neurol 2017;23:81-83
A Case of Neuro-AIDS Presenting with Rapidly Progressive
Dementia and Parkinsonism with Rapid Response to Treatment
Demans ve Parkinsonizm Tablosu ile Başvuran ve Tedaviye Hızlı Yanıt Veren
Bir Nöro-AIDS Olgusu
Yasemin Akıncı
1
, Melis Sohtaoğlu Sevindik
2
, Bilgül Mete
3
, Umran Şumeyse Ertürk
3
, Mehmet Yürüyen
4
,
Bekir Sami Kocazeybek
5
, Melda Bozluolcay
1
1
Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey
2
Helios Clinic, Clinic of Neurology, Hattingen, Germany
3
Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
4
Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Istanbul, Turkey
5
Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
Keywords: HIV, AIDS, dementia, parkinsonism, combination antiretroviral therapy
Anahtar Kelimeler: HIV, AIDS, demans, parkinsonizm, kombine antiretroviral tedavi
Dear Editor,
Cognitive impairment associated with Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by the direct effect of the virus, as
well as by opportunistic diseases in the brain, has shown significant
changes with the use of combined antiretroviral therapy. Although
the brain functions as a “Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)”
reserve in spite of treatment, and chronic inflammation and
cognitive impairment due to neurotoxic effects of antiretroviral
agents can persist in 5-10% of the patients, the incidence of HIV-
related dementia, which is the most severe form of infection-
related cognitive impairment, is reported to be reduced by about
50% in the post-treatment period (1,2,3,4).
We would like to emphasize the importance of early and
accurate diagnosis by presenting a patient with HIV-associated
neurocognitive disorder (HAND) who was also diagnosed as having
Toxoplasma encephalitis, with dementia and parkinsonism and
had a rapid response to treatment.
A man aged 54 years presented with symptoms of general
malaise, anorexia, weight loss, behavioral change, forgetfulness,
and unbalanced and slow walking. He was diagnosed as having
primary pulmonary tuberculosis infection one year ago. Symptoms
of weakness, fever, and loss of balance did not improve despite the
tuberculosis treatment under regular follow-up for six months, and
loss of balance worsened within 2 months of the treatment being
terminated and symptoms of slowly progressive disorientation,
confusion attacks, forgetfulness, anger attacks, and aggression
started. He became fully dependent for daily activities during the
last three months. Due to stagnation and the subsequent sudden
anger attacks,that have recently become evident, he was admitted
to the emergency service. The patient had a history of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and
30 packet-years of smoking.
The patient had a cachectic appearance and had herpetic
rashes that persisted around his mouth for several months. On
neurologic examination, he was apathetic, limited cooperation
and impaired orientation to person, place, and time. The fluency
of speaking was impaired, and the latency of the response to
questions was extended. Bilateral bradykinesia and slow walking
in the forefront posture were remarkable. His postural reflexes
were impaired, Romberg test was positive, and the tandem walk
was incompetent.
Address for Correspondence/Yaz›flma Adresi: Yasemin Akıncı MD, Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: +90 505 998 50 70 E-mail: yasemnaknc@gmail.com
Received/Gelifl Tarihi: 25.07.2016 Accepted/Kabul Tarihi: 09.12.2016
©
Copyright 2017 by Turkish Neurological Society
Turkish Journal of Neurology published by Galenos Publishing House.