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. 2021 Oct;26(10):1140-1152.
doi: 10.1111/tmi.13652. Epub 2021 Aug 23.

Neurocysticercosis and HIV/AIDS co-infection: A scoping review

Paul D Jewell  1 , Annette Abraham  2   3 , Veronika Schmidt  2   3 , Kevin G Buell  1 , Javier A Bustos  4   5 , Hector H Garcia  4   5 , Matthew A Dixon  1   6   7 , Martin Walker  1   8 , Bernard J Ngowi  9   10 , Maria-Gloria Basáñez  1   6 , Andrea S Winkler  2   3
Affiliations

Neurocysticercosis and HIV/AIDS co-infection: A scoping review

Paul D Jewell et al. Trop Med Int Health. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a high disease burden and are prevalent in overlapping low- and middle-income areas. Yet, treatment guidance for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) co-infected with NCC is currently lacking. This study aims to scope the available literature on HIV/AIDS and NCC co-infection, focusing on epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostics and treatment outcomes.

Methods: The scoping literature review methodological framework, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. A total of 16,969 records identified through database searching, and 45 additional records from other sources were reduced to 52 included studies after a standardised selection process.

Results: Two experimental studies, ten observational studies, 23 case series/case reports and 17 reviews or letters were identified. Observational studies demonstrated similar NCC seroprevalence in PLWH/A and their HIV-negative counterparts. Of 29 PLWH/A and NCC co-infection, 17 (59%) suffered from epileptic seizures, 15 (52%) from headaches and 15 (52%) had focal neurological deficits. Eighteen (62%) had viable vesicular cysts, and six (21%) had calcified cysts. Fifteen (52%) were treated with albendazole, of which 11 (73%) responded well to treatment. Five individuals potentially demonstrated an immune-reconstitution inflammatory syndrome after commencing antiretroviral therapy, although this was in the absence of immunological and neuroimaging confirmation.

Conclusions: There is a paucity of evidence to guide treatment of PLWH/A and NCC co-infection. There is a pressing need for high-quality studies in this patient group to appropriately inform diagnostic and management guidelines for HIV-positive patients with NCC.

Keywords: Taenia solium; AIDS; HIV; co-infection; neurocysticercosis; taeniosis.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA flow chart presenting the search for relevant studies
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Dot map demonstrating the geographical distribution of included studies. Dots represent geographic locations of study sites. Dot size is proportional to number of studies in a particular area. Dot colour represents the type of study: case series/report, experimental or observational.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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