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Neurocysticercosis and HIV/AIDS co‐infection: A scoping review
Author(s) -
Jewell Paul D.,
Abraham Annette,
Schmidt Veronika,
Buell Kevin G.,
Bustos Javier A.,
Garcia Hector H.,
Dixon Matthew A.,
Walker Martin,
Ngowi Bernard J.,
Basáñez MariaGloria,
Winkler Andrea S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.13652
Subject(s) - neurocysticercosis , medicine , albendazole , observational study , epidemiology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , antiretroviral therapy , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , immunology , surgery , viral load
Objectives Neurocysticercosis (NCC) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a high disease burden and are prevalent in overlapping low‐ and middle‐income areas. Yet, treatment guidance for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) co‐infected with NCC is currently lacking. This study aims to scope the available literature on HIV/AIDS and NCC co‐infection, focusing on epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostics and treatment outcomes. Methods The scoping literature review methodological framework, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines were followed. A total of 16,969 records identified through database searching, and 45 additional records from other sources were reduced to 52 included studies after a standardised selection process. Results Two experimental studies, ten observational studies, 23 case series/case reports and 17 reviews or letters were identified. Observational studies demonstrated similar NCC seroprevalence in PLWH/A and their HIV‐negative counterparts. Of 29 PLWH/A and NCC co‐infection, 17 (59%) suffered from epileptic seizures, 15 (52%) from headaches and 15 (52%) had focal neurological deficits. Eighteen (62%) had viable vesicular cysts, and six (21%) had calcified cysts. Fifteen (52%) were treated with albendazole, of which 11 (73%) responded well to treatment. Five individuals potentially demonstrated an immune‐reconstitution inflammatory syndrome after commencing antiretroviral therapy, although this was in the absence of immunological and neuroimaging confirmation. Conclusions There is a paucity of evidence to guide treatment of PLWH/A and NCC co‐infection. There is a pressing need for high‐quality studies in this patient group to appropriately inform diagnostic and management guidelines for HIV‐positive patients with NCC.