Condition Lookup

Start typing to search for a specific condition, or select a specialty to see all of its conditions

Sub-Category:

Peripheral Neuropathies

Number of Conditions: 1

Progressive Polyradiculopathy in HIV

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Neurological Complications of HIV

Sub-category: Peripheral Neuropathies

Symptoms:
progressive weakness in lower limbs; loss of reflexes; urinary retention; paresthesia; back pain

Root Cause:
Inflammation and damage to nerve roots, often due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in severely immunosuppressed HIV patients.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI or CT myelography of the spinal cord, CSF analysis showing CMV DNA, and electrophysiological studies.

Treatment:
Initiation or optimization of ART and specific antiviral therapy for CMV (e.g., ganciclovir or foscarnet).

Medications:
Ganciclovir (antiviral) or foscarnet (antiviral) for CMV, combined with ART to address HIV.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; occurs in advanced HIV/AIDS with severe immunosuppression.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
CD4 count < 50 cells/mm³, untreated HIV, and co-infections with CMV or other opportunistic pathogens.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on timely diagnosis and treatment; significant neurological recovery is possible with early intervention.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic neurological deficits, bladder dysfunction, and reduced mobility.