Multiorgan involvement due to cytomegalovirus infection in AIDS

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a relatively late complication of AIDS. Like other viruses contributing to co-morbidity of HIV infection, cytomegalovirus has the propensity to cause multiorgan involvement. We report the case of a 34-year-old seropositive man who presented with bilateral lower limb weakness and symptomatic pallor. He was already on antiretroviral drugs for a month prior to presentation. Detailed clinical examination and laboratory investigations revealed cytomegalovirus polyradiculoneuropathy associated with bone marrow dysplasia. Dysplasia of haematopoeitic cell lines occurs in 30 percent to 70 percent of HIV infected patients, and is often indistinguishable from myelodysplastic syndrome. However, in our case, the bone marrow picture reverted back to normal with treatment of the CMV infection, pointing to a possible role of CMV as the causative agent of bone marrow dysplasia. Moreover, CMV has been incriminated as a pathogen producing the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. The onset of the disease in our case one month after initiation of HAART strongly raises the possibility of this being a case of CMV related IRIS. This is the first reported case where IRIS has presented with CMV polyradiculoneuropathy and bone marrow dysplasia. We would like to highlight that in today's era of HIV care, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of multiorgan involvement by CMV, for appropriate management of this disease in the background of AIDS.

Recurrent limb weakness as initial presentation of Wilson's disease.

A 28-year-old normotensive euthyroid man presented with recurrent lower motor neuron type of weakness without sensory or autonomic involvement, with preserved reflexes. Systemic examination was significant for mild hepatosplenomegaly. Investigations revealed persistent hypokalemic, hyperchloremic, normal-anion-gap metabolic acidosis with deranged liver functions. Urine pH was 6.0 even after oral ammonium-chloride loading test. Type I renal tubular acidosis was diagnosed. A search for the etiology revealed bilateral Kayser-Fleischer ring, with low serum ceruloplasmin levels and high urinary copper, confirming it to be Wilson's disease.