HIV/AIDS presenting with stroke-like features caused by cerebral Nocardia abscesses: a case report

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppression in Human Immunodeficiency Virus can predispose to opportunistic infections of the central nervous system and can be life threatening without early recognition and management. This can be delayed in undiagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The present article is the only case report in the literature to describe a first presentation of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome as cerebral Nocardia abscesses that were initially treated as a stroke.

CASE PRESENTATION: A previously well 59 year old Caucasian man presented with sudden onset of left sided hemiparesis and sensory change, right sided headache, diplopia and confusion. The patient was initially treated as a stroke but was eventually found to have pulmonary and cerebral Nocardia abscesses secondary to a new diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

CONCLUSION: Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection can produce a variety of neurological presentations with the added possibility of multiple pathological processes being present simultaneously. This is only further complicated in instances, such as the present case, when Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection has not yet been diagnosed. It is therefore imperative that appropriate neuroimaging is done at an early stage to ensure timely initiation of appropriate therapy. Cerebral Nocardia abscesses are a serious and potentially life threatening complication of Human Immunodeficiency Virus.