CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID ANALYSES IN HIV PATIENTS - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY THROUGH 6 YEARS

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause neurological symptoms . It is not known how the the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may change dur ing the infection. Thirty-eight neurologically asymptomatic HIV patien ts with CD4 lymphocyte count >280 x 10(6)/l, were included in the pros pective study. CSF was analysed once a year for cell count, oligoclona l IgG, IgG index and CSF:S albumin ratio. Cell free CSF was cultivated for HIV isolation. At inclusion, at year three and six, the CSF anti- HIV antibody synthesis was measured. HIV-DNA in CSF cells were analyse d at inclusion. More than 80% of the patients had abnormal CSF. At con secutive investigations the IgG index and/or CSF:S albumin ratio were unchanged in most of the patients. These findings resemble those seen in MS, neuroborreliosis or neurolues. HIV was isolated in about half o f the patients the first four times but in about one-third of them lat er on. At inclusion, HIV-DNA was found in CSF cells in 95% and intrath ecal anti-HIV antibody synthesis in 65% of the patients. The findings did not correlate with the HIV duration, patients' age or the amount o f blood CD4 cells. The results speak in favour of the early penetratio n of HIV in CSF but for its low neurovirulence.