Nucleoside analogue
reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) especially
stavudine, used for the treatment of
HIV infection have been rarely associated with
lactic acidosis syndrome (LAS) and severe neuromuscular weakness mimicking
Guillain Barre syndrome. A 36-year-old man presented with a one-week history of
nausea,
vomiting, epigastric
pain,
dyspnea associated with progressive
muscle weakness and
numbness in glove and stocking pattern. He had symptomatic
HIV infection, diagnosed 2 years before the admission and was treated with GPOvir (
lamivudine,
stavudine and
nevirapine). Physical examination revealed afebrile dyspnic drowsy man with crepitation in both lungs and
hepatomegaly. Neurological examination showed areflexic symmetrical weakness of both extremities and decreased pin-prick sensation in glove and stocking pattern as well as loss of vibration and touch sensation in both hands and feet. He developed
cardiopulmonary arrest and was intubated. Investigations revealed severe
lactic acidosis (
lactic acid = 21.1 mg/dl). Electrophysiological studies revealed severe sensorimotor axonopathy predominantly involved the lower extremities.
Stavudine was discontinued. Severe LAS dramatically improved and
polyneuropathy gradually recovered with symptomatic as well as supportive interventions. Monitoring of LAS and neuromuscular weakness is advocated in HIV patient who receive
stavudine therapy. Immediate discontinuation of the medication after detection of these complications may prevent this fatal complications.