HIV, rods, and the muscles--a discussion about HIV-associated nemaline rod myopathy
Madonia, P.; Wilson, J.; Bican, O.; Willis, M.; Bass, P.
Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society Official Organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society 164(6): 320-323
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-6921 PMID: 23431674 Document Number: 661753
This case reports a 21-year-old, homosexual African-American male who presented to our facility with a two-week history of progressive proximal muscle weakness. Quadriceps muscle biopsy showed a diagnosis of Nemaline Rod Myopathy, the presenting disease of his HIV infection. A review of the literature shows 13 prior case reports of similar disease process, often as the presenting symptom of the HIV disease. Anecdotal reports of effective treatment regimens include steroids and intravenous immune globulin; our patient had a profound response to high-dose steroids. This case report discusses this rare presentation of HIV in hopes to increase awareness amongst clinicians as the incidence and prevalence of HIV increases.