AIDS encephalopathy in childhood or the late sequela of central nervous system leukemia

: This case report is about an eleven year old boy with new developed symptoms of a cellular immundeficiency and a positive HIV-serology 33 months after a CNS-leukemia relapse. After 18 weeks a progredient neurological symptomatology is beginning with motor, cognitive and behavioral disturbances and a brain atrophy in the CT-scan. These cerebral manifestations are explainable as an encephalopathy both through HIV and after CNS-leukemia. A SSPE has been excluded. CT, EEG, Evoked Potentials do not show differential diagnostic pathognomonic findings regarding both diseases. The CSF findings hint at a persistent virus infection compatibel with the postulated slow virus pathogenesis of the AIDS-Encephalopathy. We conclude, that in this case an etiological diagnoses is only possible through histological brain examination and through demonstration of HIV or HIV-antigen in brain tissue respectively. AZT, which is reported to be effective against the cerebral AIDS-manifestations could not be applicated because of the existing pancytopenia.