Human immunodeficiency virus-associated neurocognitive disorder masquerading as psychiatric illness

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been shown to be associated with a constellation of neuropsychiatric disorders. The presence of depressive symptoms may obscure the evaluation of cognitive manifestation of a neurodegenerative disorder like dementia associated with AIDS. Further, it is uncommon to see catatonia in association with HIV/AIDS. In this report, we present a case who had an array of psychiatric syndromes as the initial manifestation of AIDS. The subsequent management issues are also dealt with.

Keywords

• Catatonia
• depression
• human immunodeficiency virus dementia
• human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune-deficiency syndrome