AIDS and AIDS-treatment neuropathies

Abstract

AIDS and AIDS-treatment neuropathies are common in individuals infected with HIV. As patients live longer due to improved antiretroviral therapies, the impact of painful neuropathy on patients' lives may increase. Several antiretroviral medications are known to cause toxic neuropathy in patients with AIDS, but this may be outweighed by the beneficial effects of viral suppression. Current theories on the pathogenesis of AIDS neuropathies include mitochondrial toxicity secondary to gamma-DNA polymerase inhibition and subsequent abnormal mitochondrial DNA synthesis. Treatment of AIDS neuropathies is directed toward relief of symptoms; however, new evidence suggests that aggressive antiretroviral therapy may also be effective.

Peripheral Neuropathies Under New Combined Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV Infection at Fann National University Hospital: Electrophysiological Aspects and Risk Factors

“…Neurological disorders are the third complication of this infection, after digestive and dermatological ones [1]. Among these neurological complications, peripheral neuropathies are frequent [2], either due to the virus or to the neurotoxic side effects of some of the antiretroviral therapies (ART) [3]. The therapeutic management of patients infected by HIV has been greatly improved by new combined Antiretroviral Therapy (cART).…”

“…The therapeutic management of patients infected by HIV has been greatly improved by new combined Antiretroviral Therapy (cART). However, many drugs have been recognized as responsible for the occurrence of toxic neuropathies in these patients [3,2,4]. The aim of this study was to determine the electrophysiological aspects of peripheral neuropathies (PN) and their promoting factors during initiation of cART in people living with HIV and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (PLHIV/AIDS) in a hospital in Dakar.…”

Peripheral Neuropathy Induced by Lopinavir-Saquinavir-Ritonavir Combination Therapy in an HIV-Infected Patient

“…Distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) affects as many as 35% of patients infected with HIV. [1][2] Its etiology is complex and includes advanced immunodeficiency and HIV viremia, vitamin deficiencies (ie, vitamin B family), hormonal dysfunction (ie, thyroid), monoclonal gammopathies, and other neurotoxic events (ie, alcoholism, diabetes). Large subsets of patients develop antiretroviral-induced toxic neuropathy (ATN) while treated particularly with didanosine (ddI, Videx®), zalcitabine (ddC, Hivid®), or stavudine (d4T, Zerit®).…”