HIV infection can cause dementia that progresses over a longer | Neurology collections 2020
HIV infection can cause dementia that progresses over a longer time period than progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Symptoms are of: Confusion Depression Reduced concentration Behavioural changes Psychosis Speech and balance problems, as well as Muscle weakness. Patients with cryptococcal meningitis present with headache, fever, vomiting and few neurological signs. PML can present at any CD4 count with ataxia, behavioural changes and focal neurological signs, often progressing over a period of months to paresis or even coma. Toxoplasmosis presents with headache, fever and seizures. It has a typical CT head scan with ring enhancing lesions. This patient's symptoms may be compatible with schizophrenia, however given his HIV status and neurology HIV dementia is more likely.