NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS AND HIV-INFECTION - REPORT OF 2 CASES AND REVIEW

BACKGROUND With the progression of acquired immunodeficiency virus (AI DS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to endemic areas of cysticercosis, the simultaneous diagnosis of both diseases is an ex pected event. METHODS Among 91 patients with AIDS or HIV infection stu died from 1987 to 1993 at a neurologic reference center in Mexico City , 2 patients with AIDS and neurocysticercosis were found. Five previou sly reported cases were jointly reviewed. RESULTS The first patient pr esented with increased intracranial pressure of rapid progression. A s ingle giant cyst was surgically excised and cysticercus was confirmed on histopathologic examination. The second patient had brain toxoplasm osis and concurrent neurocysticercosis as an incidental finding. CONCL USIONS Neurocysticercosis in HIV infection/AIDS may appear as a life-t hreatening condition or as an incidental finding. All reported cases h ave been found in advanced stages of HIV infection. Management must be individualized depending on the clinical form of cysticercosis, stage of HIV infection, and coexisting opportunistic conditions. Surgery ma y be lifesaving and some patients apparently responded to cysticidal d rugs.