Primary HIV Infection Presenting As Inflammatory Polyradiculopathy Mimicking Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Case Report

TL;DR

A woman with HIV was initially thought to have GBS, showing how HIV can mimic other neurological conditions and the importance of testing.

Contribution

Highlights the rare presentation of HIV as inflammatory polyradiculopathy and the need for routine HIV testing in unexplained cases.

Findings

HIV can present as inflammatory polyradiculopathy without typical risk factors.

Routine HIV testing is crucial in unexplained neuromuscular cases.

Diagnostic challenges exist when HIV mimics Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Abstract

Primary HIV infection rarely presents with acute neuromuscular weakness. In patients with polyradiculopathy, HIV infection should be considered even in the absence of recognized risk factors. We report a 36-year-old woman with rapidly progressive paraparesis who was initially suspected to have Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Subsequent investigations confirmed an HIV-associated inflammatory polyradiculopathy. This case highlights diagnostic challenges and emphasizes the need for routine HIV testing in unexplained radiculopathies.

Figures