Flores R, Salvato P, Thompson C, Stroud S; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: 79 (abstract no. PuB 7183).
Houston Immunological Institute, Texas.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the range of CD4 counts in AIDS dementia complex (ADC) and to correlate CD4 counts with structural abnormalities on MRI scanning. METHODS: Fourteen (14) HIV seropositive patients with a clinical diagnosis of ADC comprised the sample. ADC was categorized from mild to severe according to Price's classification. Patients received CD4 testing and MRI scanning within a 48 hour period. All CD4 counts were done at the same lab and all MRIs were done on the same machine and read by the same neuroradiologist. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Six (6) of 14 patients (43%) had evidence of brain atrophy on MRI scanning. All of these patients had CD4 counts less than 100 (average 28). Of the 14 total patients, 6 had CD4 counts less than 100 (43%), 3 had CD4 counts between 100 and 500 (21%), and 5 had CD4 counts greater than 500 (36%). The patients with brain atrophy on MRI or with less than 100 CD4 counts did not necessarily correlate with the more severe degree of ADC. CONCLUSIONS: Structural changes on MRI (brain atrophy) and/or low CD4 counts do not correlate with degree of severity of ADC as defined in Price's classification. In addition, CD4 counts varied widely in these patients, with 36% having a CD4 count greater than 500, a level at which early intervention with antiviral agents is not yet recommended. Since ADC can precede the overt manifestations of full-blown AIDS and prior to a decline in CD4 count, it is important to identify this complex as early as possible to ensure that appropriate therapeutic intervention is begun. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathogenesis of ADC which, at this time, remains incompletely understood.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- AIDS Dementia Complex
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Antigens, CD4
- Antiviral Agents
- CD4 Lymphocyte Count
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- immunology
Other ID:
UI: 102202179
From Meeting Abstracts