[Neurophysiologic study in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection]

Arch Neurobiol (Madr). 1989:52 Suppl 1:93-103.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement in the form of different neuropathies in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is increasingly more common. We present a series of 20 HIV + patients subjected to neurophysiological study. The most commonly observed neurological disorder was a slight axonal-type sensitivo-distal polyneuropathy that predominantly affected the lower limbs during the early stages of infection. As HIV infection evolves, the polyneuropathy worsens and becomes a sensitivo-motor polyneuropathy with a more important axonal component. Secondary demyelinization is observed, with additional involvement of the upper limbs in the final stages of infection. The most frequent neurophysiological finding was a decrease in somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and conduction velocity (CV) of the sural nerve.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Adult
  • Electromyography
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscular Diseases / etiology
  • Muscular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Neural Conduction
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / physiopathology*