All Journals from Dushyant Mital
Abstract
Progressive Multifocal Leucoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare and invariably fatal neurological disease that is seen patients with untreated HIV infection and as a complication of immune suppression with agents such as natalizumab. With the increasing occurrence of HIV, it is important to consider this condition in the differential diagnosis of patients with neurological features. We present the case of a young woman with a long history of HIV infection who presented with neurological symptoms; recognition of this diagnosis enabled identification of her poor compliance with treatment. The investigation and treatment of this condition is discussed.
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Late HIV diagnosis is the most important predictor of HIV-related morbidity and mortality in the UK and often results from missed testing opportunities during earlier contact with health services. The HPA now recommends routine HIV testing be commissioned as a priority for all general medical admissions in high prevalence areas, such as Milton Keynes. We present the case of a patient admitted to our Medical Admissions Unit (MAU) managed initially for presumed septic complications of metastatic disease who was later found to have terminal HIV disease. In keeping with UK-wide experience which we review, a local audit following this case found MAU HIV test coverage increased after routine testing but not after staff education alone, and resulted in implementation of routine HIV testing in our MAU.
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