Neurologic complications, including both the acute and chronic forms of inflammatory demyelinating
polyradiculoneuropathy (
IDP) are becoming more prevalent among patients with the
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (
AIDS) and
AIDS-related-complex (
ARC). Although the etiology of the above radiculoneuropathies is not known, an autoimmune process has been postulated.
Plasmapheresis has been reported to be of benefit in both the acute and chronic forms of these neuropathies. In this report we describe the use of
plasmapheresis in the treatment of a patient with
ARC and the acute relapsing form of
IDP. The treatment consisted of an intensive course of
plasmapheresis following his initial presentation and after an acute relapse which occurred several weeks after his initial presentation. Both the initial presentation and relapse involved respiratory compromise necessitating intubation and
mechanical ventilation. In both instances marked clinical improvement was achieved after initiation of
plasmapheresis. Thus,
plasmapheresis may have a role in the management of acute relapsing
IDP associated with human immunodeficiency virus
infection.