Peripheral nervous system involvement revealing HIV infection in Bobo-Dioulasso hospital (Burkina Faso).

Several peripheral neuropathies are associated with human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) infection. In Africa, certain diseases are of particular importance. In the present work, we report peripheral neurological involvement as revealing signs of HIV infection within the internal medicine unit of a large city over a 2-year period. All adult subjects with a positive HIV serology revealed by a peripheral neuropathy observed in the National Hospital Centre of Bobo-Dioulasso over a two-year period (I January 1999 and 31 December 2000) were included in the study. 46 cases of peripheral neuropathies revealing HIV infection were screened. Peripheral facial paralysis concerned 25 patients, 15 women and 7 0 men, in the early stages of HIV infection. The average age was 34 years, For 80% of the patients, he CD4 count was over 200. 517 0 cases of polyneuropathy occurred at the early stage of the HIV infection. Herpes zoster occurred in the early stages in 517 cases, 314 cases of polyradiculopathy occurred at a later stage with CD4 count under 200. Our study indicates clearly that isolated peripheral facial paralysis, sensitive polyneuropathy herpes zoster and polyradiculopathy in young adults should lead to HIV testing.