Neurologic infections in people with HIV: shifting epidemiological and clinical patterns.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define the frequency, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of both AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining neurologic infections among people with HIV (PWH). DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study by linking the clinical database at the Southern Alberta HIV Clinic (SAC) with the regional hospital and microbiology databases to identify cases and the associated morbidity and mortality for these neurologic infections from 1995 to 2018. METHODS: Neurologic infections were categorized into AIDS-defining and non-AIDS defining. Annual incidence rates per 1000 person-years were calculated. Cox proportional hazards models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals of risk factors for neurologic infections in PWH and mortality outcomes. RESULTS: Among 2910 PWH contributing 24 237 years of follow-up, 133 (4.6%) neurologic infections were identified; 107 (80%) were AIDS-defining and 26 (20%) non-AIDS defining. While the incidence of AIDS-defining neurologic infections declined over time, no change was seen in incidence of non-AIDS defining infections. The risk of having any neurologic infection was greater among black PWH (aHR = 2.5 [1.6-4.0]) (vs. white PWH) and those with a CD4 + T-cell nadir of less than 200 cells/µl (aHR = 6.6 [4.0-11.1]) (vs. ≥200 cells/µl). More AIDS-defining neurologic infections occurred in PWH with lower CD4 + T-cell counts and higher HIV viral loads. PWH with any neurologic infections experienced more seizures, strokes, all-cause mortality (aHR = 2.2 [1.5-3.2] and HIV-related mortality (aHR = 6.4 [3.9-10.7] (vs. no neurologic infection). CONCLUSION: Both AIDS and non-AIDS defining neurologic infections continue to occur in PWH resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and initiation of ART remain crucial in preventing neurological infections in PWH.

Case Series of Guillain-Barré Syndrome After the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) Vaccine.

Purpose of Review: Vaccination has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Amid a global vaccination campaign to stop the spread of COVID-19, fears of GBS can contribute to vaccine hesitancy. We describe 3 cases of GBS in Calgary, Canada, presenting within 2 weeks of receiving the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (COVISHIELD) Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccination and review the available literature. Recent Findings: All 3 patients presented to the hospital in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, within a one-month time frame with GBS. Their clinical courses ranged from mild to severe impairment, all requiring immunomodulatory treatment. Summary: There is currently little evidence to support a causal relationship between vaccination and GBS. Furthermore, there is limited evidence to support recurrent GBS in patients with GBS temporally associated with vaccination. Neurologists should approach discussions with patients regarding GBS after vaccination carefully so as not to misrepresent this relationship and to educate patients that the risk of COVID-19 infection outweighs the small individual risk of a vaccine-associated adverse event.