Computerized Tomographic Brain Findings in HIV/AIDS Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Treatment Presenting with Central Nervous System Manifestations in Gombe, North‑East, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Despite the current availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in our hospital, neurologic complications of HIV still occur. Aim: The aim of this study was to document brain computed tomography (CT) findings in HIV patients receiving HAART who developed neurological complications and to examine the relationship of these findings with CD4 cell counts. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with central nervous system symptoms out of 200 HIV/AIDS patients receiving HAART at the HIV Clinic of Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, were retrospectively studied. The findings were reviewed alongside their clinical features, CD4+ count, and HAART history. Results: CT findings were positive in 12 (60%) of the patients, while no abnormality was seen in 8 (40%) of the patients. The most common brain abnormality was atrophy (35%). Two out of 5 patients (40%) with CD4 counts >200 had abnormal CT findings compared with 9 out of 14 patients (64%) with CD4 counts <200 cells who had CT abnormalities. This finding was statistically significant (R = 0.864, P = 0.00). Conclusion: There is a high incidence of neurological complications and positive brain CT scans among the patients who defaulted from HAART treatment and with CD4 cell counts of <200 cells/µL.