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

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.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2026-02-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.104087
Primary Topic
Peripheral Neuropathies and Disorders
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

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

Mohammed Khalid, Suresh Kumar Rasiah
Cureus
Peripheral Neuropathies and Disorders
article

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

Mohammed Khalid, Suresh Kumar Rasiah
article en

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.

CureusVol. 18(2)
Ajman University (AE), Armada (Poland) (PL)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 51%
Peripheral Neuropathies and Disorders
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