Bilateral Peripheral Facial Paralysis Combined with HIV Meningitis During Acute HIV-1 Infection: A Case Report / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

Here we reported a Chinese case of bilateral peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) in human immunodeficiency virusc (HIV) infected population. A 38-year-old homosexual male patient was referred to our hospital for bilateral facial paralysis. 21 days prior to admission he had developed high fever, chills, headache, fatigue, general malaise, nausea and vomiting. Neurological examination revealed bilateral ptosis of lower lip and cheeks, as well as failure of bilateral eyes closure. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed pleocytosis, a marked rise of micro total protein and a marked rise of intrathecal lgG synthesis. The result of HIV-1 serology was positive by ELISA and that was confirmed by western blot. His CD4 cell count was 180 cells/mm . HIV-1 viral load in CSF was almost 10 times higher than that in plasma. The patient's condition improved steadily and experienced complete resolution of bilateral PFP after 2 months.