The neuropathology of HIV-infected African children in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

• Published in: Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology Vol. 56; no. 6; pp. 686 - 692
• Main Authors: BELL, J. E, LOWRIE, S, KOFFI, K, HONDE, M, ANDOH, J, DE COCK, K. M, LUCAS, S. B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01.06.1997
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - complications; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - pathology; AIDS/HIV; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - pathology; Central Nervous System Diseases - epidemiology; Central Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cote d'Ivoire - epidemiology; Encephalitis - etiology; HIV-1; HIV-2; Humans; Immunodeficiencies; Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies; Immunopathology; Infant; Medical sciences; Africa; Ivory Coast; Cote d'Ivoire; Human; Immunopathology; Nervous system diseases; Central nervous system; Exploration; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Cerebral disorder; Infection; Pathology; Viral disease; Encephalopathy; Central nervous system disease; Child; Comparative study; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0022-3069; 1554-6578

In an autopsy study of HIV-infected children in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the neuropathology of 76 HIV-1- and 2 HIV-2-positive children was compared with that of 77 frequency-matched HIV-negative children, in whom the systemic pathology was also known. Seventy of the 78 HIV-seropositive children were confirmed as HIV-infected, as determined by combined serology, IgA Western blots and clinicopathological criteria. The HIV-negative children showed a high background level (n = 49, 64%) of neuropathological abnormalities, including nonspecific inflammatory infiltrates, micromineralization, and bacterial and lymphocytic meningitis. In the HIV-positive children, HIV encephalitis was found in 4 (6%), cytomegalovirus in 2 (3%), toxoplasmosis in 3 (4%) and measles encephalitis in one (1%). Bacterial meningitis was equally common in both groups, but cerebral malaria was less common (n = 2, 3%) in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative children (n = 11, 14%). The low prevalence of HIV encephalitis may reflect comparatively early death in HIV infection in Africa as compared with our experience in Europe and the US.