ALS-Like Disorder in Three HIV-Positive Patients: Case Series

We report three cases of HIV-positive individuals, all male, who were subsequently diagnosed with ALS. Each presented with symptoms of limb onset ALS with involvement of upper and lower motor neurons and whose disease originated at the cervical level. All three had been diagnosed with HIV prior to presentation and were presumably compliant with antiretroviral therapy throughout. Our patients demonstrated effective control of their HIV infection. Each experienced relatively slow progression of motor impairment compared to ge neral ALS characteristics. Our study offers a distinct profile of HIV-positive patients compliant with HAART subsequently diagnosed with an ALS-like disorder. Further study should aim to uncover pathophysiological similarities between motor neuron disease both in the presence and absence of retrovir al infection and to develop effective medical therapy for each.Case Rep Neurol 2021;13:59 –64
Source: Case Reports in Neurology - Category: Neurology Source Type: research