The value of brain MRI associated with CSF viral load in a patient living with HIV with encephalitis and undetectable viremia

Auteurs

  • MAGNEROU Annick Melanie
  • NIDA Martine
  • GAMS MASSI Daniel
  • ZANGA Hugues Martial
  • NJANKOUO MAPOURE Yacouba

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.55715/jaim.v17i4.861

Résumé

Persistent inflammation of the brain parenchyma in people living with HIV (PLWH) under antiretroviral therapy (ART) may be due to residual viral replication in the central nervous system (CNS), despite an undetectable plasma viral load. We report the case of a 41-year-old HIV-positive patient, adherent to ART (Tenofovir-Emtricitabine-Efavirenz), with a previously undetectable viral load, who presented with progressive neurological symptoms. Brain MRI revealed hyperintense lesions in the temporal and mesencephalic regions with contrast enhancement. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed detectable HIV RNA (310 copies/mL), while plasma HIV RNA remained undetectable. Empirical treatment was initiated, however the patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to death on the 10th day of hospitalization. This case highlights the importance of combining brain MRI and lumbar puncture for thorough evaluation in HIV-infected patients presenting with new neurological signs, even under effective ART.

RÉSUME

L’inflammation persistante du parenchyme cérébral chez les patients vivant avec le VIH sous traitement antirétroviral (ARV) peut être liée à une réplication résiduelle du virus au niveau du système nerveux central (SNC), malgré une charge virale indétectable dans le sang. Nous rapportons le cas d’un patient de 41 ans, suivi pour VIH depuis 6 ans, observant correctement son traitement (Ténofovir-Emtricitabine-Efavirenz), avec une charge virale plasmatique indétectable, mais présentant des troubles neurologiques progressifs. L’IRM cérébrale a révélé des hypersignaux temporaux et mésencéphaliques avec prise de contraste. L’analyse du LCR a détecté une virorachie (310 copies/ml) malgré une virémie indétectable. Un traitement empirique a été instauré, mais l’évolution a été rapidement défavorable, avec décès au 10e jour. Ce cas illustre l’intérêt crucial de coupler IRM cérébrale et ponction lombaire chez les patients VIH présentant de nouveaux signes neurologiques, même sous ART efficace.

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Publiée

2025-10-11

Comment citer

MAGNEROU Annick Melanie, NIDA Martine, GAMS MASSI Daniel, ZANGA Hugues Martial, & NJANKOUO MAPOURE Yacouba. (2025). The value of brain MRI associated with CSF viral load in a patient living with HIV with encephalitis and undetectable viremia. Journal Africain D Imagerie Médicale (J Afr Imag Méd) Journal Officiel De La Société De Radiologie d’Afrique Noire Francophone (SRANF), 17(4), 313–317. https://doi.org/10.55715/jaim.v17i4.861