Work

Pilot Study of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in HIV-Associated Myelopathy

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: There is no effective treatment for HIV-associated myelopathy (HIVM). The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has made little difference to its natural history. Spinal cord pathology reveals vacuolization and inflammation. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is used successfully in a number of inflammatory conditions associated with HIV. In view of the potential for reversibility of the inflammatory response in HIVM, we treated 17 patients with IVIg twice over a 56-day study period. There was improvement in composite Medical Research Council (MRC) strength scores 28 days following the first infusion (increase in score: 3.94; p = 0.021). The second infusion did not produce further improvement, however there was little reduction from peak strength. These pilot data suggest that further investigation of the use of IVIg in HIVM is warranted.

Source: AIDS Patient Care and STDs

DOI: 10.1089/apc.2008.0018

Authors: Katia Cikurel, Lauren Schiff, David M. Simpson

Institutions: Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Language: English

Topic: Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: American Academy of Neurology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke