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Since the first reports of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, the field of infectology has changed in a vertiginous way resulting in the appearance of two new subspecialties: HIV infectology and neuroHIV the latter focused in the nervous system complications caused by the virus or its treatment. About 50-70% of patients with HIV infection have or will develop any syptom or neurologic síndrome at any point during the course of the illness either caused by the virus, an opportunistic infection or as a complication of the drugs. Among the most common Neurological issues are peripheric neuropathies, neuropsychiatric manifestations and aseptic meningitis, however by far the most challenging and complex aspect is the approach of a patient with a suspected neuroinfection in the context of HIV infection, because immune system has been compromised and its response might not be the expected in an immunocompetent patient. That's why a special algorith must be designed for the diagnosis and management of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is considered infrequent, even in cases of human immunodefficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, little is known about the frequency of this association in Mexico. Objective: To determine the prevalence and neurological manifestations of patients with PCNSL and the HIV/AIDS complex, in a 10-year period in a reference hospital of the Mexico City. Methods: In this retrospective study, clinical records of PCNSL cases in patients with HIV infection were reviewed from the clinical database of the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, from January 2001 to January 2011. Results: In this 10-year period, the pravalence of PCNSL in patients with HIV infection was 0.2% (5 cases, age range: 30-39 years): 3 (60%) man and 2 (40%) women. Histopathological analysis was achieved in 3 cases (all diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma); in the rest, diagnosis was based on the clinical presentation, suggestive neuroimaging and negative serology for toxoplasmosis. Main sign and symptoms were headache (100%), seizures (80%), papilledema (60%), multiple cranial neuropathies (60%) and hemiparesis (60%). During the first 6 months after diagnosis, 60% of the patients died due to disease activity. Conclusions: Diagnosis of PCNSL is challenging. The low prevalence here reported, as compared with relatively old series, could be a consequence of the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy, as it has been recognized in other parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]