Wernicke's encephalopathy in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): a case report.

A 40-year-old male, with established AIDS developed cachexia and dementia. At autopsy opportunistic infections were found. An additional neuropathological finding was Wernicke's encephalopathy. Although malnutrition is common in AIDS patients, it seems that Wernicke's encephalopathy is rare in AIDS. Nevertheless, it is suggested that a therapeutic trial with parenteral thiamine may be useful in AIDS patients with amnestic syndrome and dementia.