Central Nervous System (CNS) Manifestations In Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus And Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infection: A Case Series with Review of Literature

Abstract

Central Nervous System (CNS) is one of the major system involved in HIV and HCV infected individuals. There are various mechanisms through which virus enters into the brain tissue and activates immunological response to cause damage to brain tissue. Consequences
can ranges from minor cognitive motor impairment to life threatening secondary opportunistic infections like progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis and mycobacterial infection e.g. tubercular meningitis and tuberculoma.
Stroke is also one of the rare complication which can be seen as a sequelae of vasculitis. Previous studies have shown significant association between HIV and HCV pathogenesis to involve central nervous system. In this case series, ten cases are discussed in which CNS manifestations of individuals affected with co-infection with HIV and HCV. All these individuals presented at younger age showing its significant association to cause the CNS manifestations.