Remission of HIV-associated myelopathy after highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Fernández-Fernández, F J; de la Fuente-Aguado, J; Ocampo-Hermida, A; Iglesias-Castañón, A

Remission of HIV-associated myelopathy after highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Date

2004-07-21

Authors

Fernández-Fernández, F J

de la Fuente-Aguado, J

Ocampo-Hermida, A

Iglesias-Castañón, A

Abstract

HIV-associated myelopathy is the leading cause of spinal cord disease in HIV-infected patients. Typically, it affects individuals with low CD4 T cell counts, presenting with slowly progressive spastic paraparesis associated with dorsal column sensory loss as well as urinary disturbances. Other aetiologies must be first ruled out before establishing the diagnosis. We report here the case of a 37-year-old woman with advanced HIV disease, who developed HIV-associated myelopathy. The patient showed a gradual improvement after beginning with highly active antiretroviral therapy and, finally, she achieved a complete functional recovery. In addition, neuroimaging and neurophysiological tests normalized.

Citation

Fernández-Fernández FJ, de la Fuente-Aguado J, Ocampo-Hermida A, Iglesias-Castañón A. Remission of HIV-associated myelopathy after highly active antiretroviral therapy. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine. 2004 Jul-Sep; 50(3): 195-6