Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients with and without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
M. A. Pagano, P. E. Cahn, M. L. Garau, C. A. Mangone, H. A. Figini, A. A. Yorio, M. C. Dellepiane, M. G. Amores, H. M. Perez and A. D. Casiro
Department of Neurology, Fernandez Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials were recorded in 35 human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive subjects from the Centers for
Disease Control groups III and IV, 24 HIV-negative drug abusers, and 62
normal healthy controls. None of the patients had evidence of neurological
complications. History of alcohol consumption was an exclusion criterion.
The values of central conduction times I-V and III-V showed significant
differences between the HIV-seropositive subjects and normal healthy
controls, as well as between the HIV-seropositive subjects and HIV-negative
drug abusers. Central conduction times I-III showed no differences between
groups, except in the left ear of Centers for Disease Control group IV
compared with controls. No statistical differences were found in the
central conduction times between HIV-negative drug abusers and normal
healthy controls. The results suggest a subclinical involvement of the
upper brain stem in HIV infection. It could be produced by direct action of
the virus on central nervous system structures.
