Symptomatic CSF HIV Escape in Patients on Anti Retroviral Therapy - A Case Series from India

The central nervous system is believed to be a safe sanctuary site which is established very early in the course of HIV infection where the virus can escape antiretroviral therapy. HIV associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is seen to occur even in patients on successful systemic ART. HIV RNA can be at higher levels in CSF than plasma termed as CSF / plasma discordance or CSF escape. We aimed to study the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes in HIV patients who develop neurocognitive dysfunction on otherwise successful (suppressive) ART. We reported 6 cases of HAND in patients on regular successful ART over a 3 year period. Neurological examination , CSF analysis , plasma CD4 T cell count and neuroimaging were done.. Plasma HIV RNA and CSF HIV RNA was also estimated. Most of the patients' (5/6) were male, median age was 38.5 years and median time since HIV diagnosis was 3 years. All patients' were on Tenofovir plus Boosted Protease inhibitors when neurocognitive symptoms were manifest. 4/6 patients had an acute onset of clinical presentation. CSF showed elevated protein and mild pleocytosis in all patients. Median nadir CD4 T cell count was 222 cells / μl and at presentation of HAND with CSF escape was 374 cells / μl. CSF / Plasma HIV RNA discordance was present in all patients' at time of diagnosis. Outcome is good if diagnosed and treated early.