The neuromuscular manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infections
D. J. Lange, C. B. Britton, D. S. Younger and A. P. Hays
Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY.
We studied 14 patients with neuromuscular disorders and concomitant
infection with human immunodeficiency virus to define clinical syndromes
and prognosis. Eight patients had painful sensorimotor peripheral
neuropathy; two, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; two,
mononeuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex; one, recurrent myoglobinuria;
and one, chronic proximal weakness and elevated creatine kinase levels. All
eight patients with painful neuropathy had overt symptoms of acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating
polyneuropathy was the first manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome in both patients with this syndrome. Both died from overwhelming
sepsis within six months of the neuropathy's onset. Patients with
mononeuropathy multiplex had a variable course. Immunosuppressant
medication had no effect in two patients.
