PROFILE OF CASES OF INFECTIOUS MENINGITIS IN HIV PATIENTS.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Gudi Srinivas,
House No. 19/28/351,
Near Railway Station,
Clough Pet, 4th Lane,
Ongole-523001, Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh.
E-mail: drsrinivasgudi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is one of the common manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). About one-fifth of AIDS patients die of CNS diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Ongole. 50 HIV patients with clinical features suggestive of meningitis were selected for the study. A brief history and detailed investigations were carried out for the patients.

RESULTS

Out of the 50 study population, majority (56%, n= 28) belonged to 30 - 39 years’ age group and majority (60%, n= 30) were females. Tuberculous meningitis was found to be the most common cause of meningitis in HIV patients. In the present study, 30 patients (60%) were found to have tuberculous meningitis and 5 patients (10%) were found to have cryptococcal meningitis. 46 patients had CD4+ T-cell count < 500/uL, among whom 18 patients had CD4+ T-cell count < 200/uL. All the patients with tuberculous meningitis and cryptococcal meningitis were found to have CD4 count < 500/uL.

CONCLUSION

Tuberculous meningitis was found to be the most common cause of meningitis in HIV patients.

KEYWORDS

Meningitis, HIV, AIDS, Tuberculous Meningitis, Cryptococcal Meningitis.