Longitudinal, virological, and serological assessment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients
AbstractHere we described the virological and serological assessment of 23 COVID-19 patients hospitalized and followed up in Milan, Italy, during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Nasopharyngeal (NPS), anal swabs, and blood samples were collected from 23 COVID-19 patients, at hospital admission, and periodically up to discharge, for a median time of 20 days (3–83 days). RNA was isolated and tested for SARS-CoV-2 by qRT-PCR; anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibody titers were evaluated in serum samples by ELISA. SARS-CoV-2 genome was detected in the NPS swabs of the 23 patients, at the admission, and 8/19 (42.1%) were ...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - January 7, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Ependymal restricted diffusion and injury to the olfactory system on a ventriculoencephalitis associated with COVID-19
We describe the case of a 42-year-old female with COVID-19 and acute psychomotor agitation and without comorbidities. Brain MRI showed injury to the olfactory system associated with diffusion weighted imaging restriction in the ependymal surface of the lateral ventriculus suggesting ventriculoencephalitis. (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - January 4, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Cerebral and spinal cord changes observed through magnetic resonance imaging in patients with HTLV-1 –associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis: a systematic review
AbstractTo verify brain and spinal changes using magnetic resonance imaging in patients with HTLV-1 –associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. This was a systematic review. The descriptors used were tropical spastic paraparesis and magnetic resonance image. The keyword HTLV-1–associated myelopathy was also used. Twenty-three articles were included: 16 detected brain changes and 18 de tected spinal changes. White matter lesions were the most frequent finding in the brain. Brain injuries were most frequently identified in the periventricular region, in the subcortical region, in the centrum semiovale, in the br...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - January 3, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Compassionate-use pocapavir and immunoglobulin therapy for treatment of rituximab-associated enterovirus meningoencephalitis
AbstractA 71-year-old woman previously on rituximab treatment for rheumatoid arthritis presented with 2 years of progressive neurologic symptoms. She was found to have persistent hypogammaglobulinemia and B cell depletion despite rituximab discontinuation a year prior. MRI revealed diffuse meningeal enhancement along the entire neuroaxis. LP showed a CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis, elevated protein, and presence of enterovirus by PCR. The patient was hospitalized several times for progressive clinical and radiologic decline, though she had transient improvements following treatment with immunoglobulin therapy. Her CSF remaine...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - January 3, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Cerebral vasculitis caused by Talaromyces marneffei and Aspergillus niger in a HIV-positive patient: a case report and literature review
AbstractCerebral vasculitis is a long-standing but flourishing and fadeless research topic. Infections are a frequent cause of cerebral vasculitis, vital to diagnose due to involvement of specific anti-infection treatments. A 65-year-old man visited the hospital for his neurological symptoms without obvious inducements. After admission, radiological examination and comprehensive conventional microbiological tests (CMTs) revealed suspected intracranial infectious vasculitis. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction further confirmed that his cerebral vasculitis was ca...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - January 3, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Relationship of the balloon analog risk task to neurocognitive impairment differs by HIV serostatus and history of major depressive disorder
AbstractHIV and major depressive disorder (MDD) commonly co-occur and are both linked to greater risk-taking behavior, possibly due to neurocognitive impairment (NCI). The present study examined the concordance of the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART), a gold standard measure of risk-taking propensity, with NCI and real-world sexual risk behaviors in PWH with comorbid MDD. Participants included 259 adults, stratified by HIV serostatus (HIV + /HIV −) and lifetime MDD (MDD + /MDD −), who completed neuropsychological testing, the BART, and sexual risk behavior questionnaires. Logistic regression, stratified by ...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - January 3, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Combined effects of older age and HIV disease on changes in everyday functioning over one year
AbstractOlder age and HIV disease are independent risk factors for problems in many aspects of everyday functioning. However, less is known about how these risk factors may combine to influence everyday functioning over time. The current study examined the possible combined effects of age and HIV serostatus on change in everyday functioning over a 1-year period and its specific associations with changes in neurocognition. A repeated measures factorial design was employed. Participants included 77 older persons with HIV (PWH), 35 younger PWH, 44 older HIV-, and 27 younger HIV-adults who each completed baseline and follow-up...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - January 3, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Detection of human herpesviruses in cerebrospinal fluids collected from patients suspected of neuroinfectious diseases
In conclusion, HHVs were associated with approximately 10% of neuroinfectious diseases in thi s cohort. VZV was the most common pathogen, probably due to the large number of VZV meningitis patients. In addition, patients with VZV-associated meningitis were significantly younger than patients with VZV-associated encephalitis. (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - December 30, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
COVID-19-associated necrotizing encephalopathy presenting without active respiratory symptoms: a case report with histopathology
We present a rare case of COVID-19-associated ANE presenting with expressive aphasia and encephalopathy in the absence of active respiratory symptoms. Initial evaluation revealed bilateral thalamic lesions and a mild neutrophilic-predominant pleocytosis on cerebrospinal fluid analysis, the latter of which has not been described in previously published cases. Presence of these atypical features prompted extensive diagnostic evaluation. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing on cerebrospinal fluid did not detect the presence of pathogenic nucleic acids. Thalamic biopsy revealed perivascular neutrophilic inflammation suggesti...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - December 30, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Clinical profile of children with parechovirus meningitis in Singapore
This study aims to review the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings in HPeV meningitis and compare these with Enterovirus (EV) meningitis. This is a retrospective study of children aged ≤ 1 year admitted for HPeV meningitis between November 2015 and July 2017, with positive CSF HPeV PCR and negative blood and CSF bacterial cultures. The clinical findings were compared with a historical cohort of children with EV meningitis admitted between July 2008 and July 2011. There wer e 71 children with HPeV meningitis, aged between 2 and 127 days, with the majority (96%) being ≤ 9...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - December 9, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Effects of unhealthy alcohol use on brain morphometry and neurocognitive function among people with HIV
AbstractIndividual impacts of alcohol misuse and HIV on brain structure and function have been well demonstrated; however, the potential compounded effect of these conditions is seldom considered, despite the high prevalence of alcohol use in HIV infection. We aimed to determine the effects of unhealthy alcohol use on brain morphometry and cognitive function amongst people with HIV (PWH). In 27 (50.9%) HIV-positive users of alcohol and 26 (49.1%) HIV-positive abstainers from alcohol, results revealed significant differences for left and right amygdala (p < 0.01), left and right hippocampus (p = 0.05), left and ...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - December 9, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Correlation between cerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurofilament light protein in treated HIV infection: results from the COBRA study
In conclusion, in PWH on ART, the correlation between CSF and plasma NfL is moderate and similar to that observed in lifestyle-similar HIV-negative individuals. Consideration of renal function and bodyweight may be required when utilising plasma NfL. (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - December 7, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Pembrolizumab treatment of inflammatory progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: a report of two cases
We present two cases of non-HIV, non-MS patients with PML who were treated with pembrolizumab with little clinical benefit. The literature surrounding pembrolizumab use in PML is discussed, with a focus on potential indicators of successful outcomes for patients who receive this therapy. (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - December 7, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Interaction of declined handgrip strength and HIV infection on neurocognitive impairment
AbstractNeurocognitive impairment (NCI) persists among people living with HIV (PLWH) despite the success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Although muscular waning or decreased handgrip strength has been widely reported to be associated with cognitive erosion in general elders, such association has not been examined in PLWH who commonly experience decreased handgrip strength and NCI. Furthermore, whether HIV infection modifies such association remains to be addressed. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 2808 HIV-positive and 5402 HIV-negative adults participating in the baseline survey of the CHART (C...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - December 6, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
A case of trigeminal neuralgia developing after a COVID-19 vaccination
AbstractIn this case, we report a patient who developed acute trigeminal neuritis after using a Pfizer-BioNtech vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The patient was completely recovered with steroid treatment. (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - December 6, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
