Neurologic infections in people with HIV: shifting epidemiological and clinical patterns.

OBJECTIVES: To define the frequency, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of both AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining neurologic infections among people with HIV (PWH).

DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study by linking the clinical database at the Southern Alberta HIV Clinic (SAC) with the regional hospital and microbiology databases to identify cases and the associated morbidity and mortality for these neurologic infections from 1995-2018.

METHODS: Neurologic infections were categorized into AIDS defining and non-AIDS defining. Annual incidence rates (IR) per 1,000 person-years (PY) were calculated. Cox proportional hazards models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals of risk factors for neurologic infections in PWH and mortality outcomes.

RESULTS: Among 2,910 PWH contributing 24,237 years of follow-up, 133(4.6%) neurologic infections were identified; 107(80%) were AIDS-defining and 26(20%) non-AIDS defining. While the incidence of AIDS-defining neurologic infections declined over time, no change was seen in incidence of non-AIDS defining infections. The risk of having any neurologic infection was greater among Black PWH (aHR = 2.5[1.6-4.0]) (vs. White PWH) and those with a CD4+ T-cell nadir of <200cells/mm3 (aHR = 6.6[4.0-11.1]) (vs. ≥200cells/mm3). More AIDS-defining neurologic infections occurred in PWH with lower CD4+ T-cell counts and higher HIV viral loads. PWH with any neurologic infections experienced more seizures, strokes, all-cause mortality (aHR = 2.2[1.5-3.2] and HIV-related mortality (aHR = 6.4[3.9-10.7 (vs. no neurologic infection).

CONCLUSIONS: Both AIDS and Non-AIDS defining neurologic infections continue to occur in PWH resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and initiation of ART remain crucial in preventing neurological infections in PWH.