Primary HIV infection presenting with Kaposi sarcoma and limbic encephalitis

J Neurovirol. 2020 Apr;26(2):292-296. doi: 10.1007/s13365-019-00815-1. Epub 2019 Nov 25.

Abstract

The development of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is often associated with neoplasia or infectious diseases as antibodies against neurons or synaptic proteins surface. A 30-year-old male patient was admitted to our department because of neurocognitive symptoms, particularly memory difficulties which had appeared a year prior and since then had been increasing. He had a medical history of smoking and hypertension. On examination, there were no focal neurological deficits. However, neuropsychological tests confirmed a lack of concentration and short-term memory impairment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) remained unremarkable. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed a low lymphocytic pleocytosis without oligoclonal bands. Serum testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was positive with 420,000 HIV-1-RNA copies/ml. On a more detailed physical examination, a large number of purple patches were found on the entire body, which a biopsy confirmed to be Kaposi sarcoma (KS). A positive serum and CSF NMDA receptor antibody titer (serum 1:280; CSF 1:8) confirmed the diagnosis of an AIDS-associated anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis; therefore, we treated him with antiretroviral and immunosuppressive therapy. After 12 months, the KS lesions faded and the cognitive deficits improved slightly. Our case highlights that a detailed clinical examination and searching for neoplasia and/or an infection are helpful, though often neglected, tools for detecting an anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

Keywords: Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis; HIV; Kaposi sarcoma; Limbic encephalitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / drug therapy
  • Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV-1
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Limbic Encephalitis / drug therapy
  • Limbic Encephalitis / immunology*
  • Male
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / drug therapy
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / immunology*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents