Comparative brain pathology of HIV-seronegative and HIV-infected drug addicts.

Abstract

Early stages of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were studied in HIV-seropositive drug addicts. Since heroin users are immunocompromized even in the absence of HIV infection, the aim of the present study was to compare the morphological alterations present in HIV-seronegative and HIV-seropositive drug addicts. A total of 60 cases (32 HIV-seronegative subjects, 21 HIV-seropositive patients without signs of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and 7 HIV-seropositive patients with signs of AIDS) were investigated macroscopically, histologically, and immunohistochemically HIV-seronegative patients presented more frequently with acute drug intoxication, died at a significantly younger age than HIV-seropositive patients, and were found to suffer more frequently from alcohol-related changes. These results indicated that HIV-seronegative and HIV-seropositive patients differed possibly in their drug consumption and also in their general conditions of life. In accordance with previous reports activated microglia and a diffuse astrogliosis in the white matter were detected at a significantly higher frequency and found to be more severe in HIV-seropositive subjects than in HIV-seronegative addicts. A lymphocytic meningitis was present in 6 of 21 HIV-seropositive patients but in none of the HIV-seronegative patients. Perivascular infiltrates consisting of lymphocytes and macrophages were detected at similar frequencies in HIV-seronegative and HIV-seropositive patients but were significantly more severe in patients suffering from lymphocytic meningitis or purulent encephalitis. Opportunistic infections were only demonstrated in 2 AIDS cases. In 10 of the HIV-seronegative patients and in 3 of the HIV-seropositive patients CD68-and Ham56-positive multinucleated cells were detected scattered in the subarachnoidal space exclusively over the frontal cortex.

• Authors: M Makrigeorgi-Butera, C Hagel, R Laas, K Puschel, D Stavrou
• Journal: Clinical neuropathology (Clin Neuropathol) 1996 Nov-Dec Vol. 15 Issue 6 Pg. 324-9 ISSN: 0722-5091 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 8937778 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Illicit Drugs

Topics

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (pathology)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Brain (pathology)
• Female
• HIV Infections (pathology)
• HIV Seronegativity (drug effects)
• HIV Seropositivity (pathology)
• Humans
• Illicit Drugs (toxicity)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Substance-Related Disorders (pathology)