The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and resulting acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a leading cause of death
worldwide. A recent estimate from the United Nations Programme
on HIV/AIDS indicates that 40 million people worldwide have
HIV/AIDS.1 The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy
(HAART) has certainly increased survival. However, central
nervous system (CNS) disorders remain a significant cause of
morbidity and mortality in HIV/AIDS-infected patients. Current
statistics indicate that 39% to 70% of all AIDS patients develop
neurological disorders, and these are the initial manifestations
of AIDS in 7% to 20%.2 A large retrospective study of 450 AIDS
autopsy cases (1984—1999) found that the brain continues to be
second only to lung in pathology, with 28% to 38% of cases
having CNS findings.3 Commonly occurring conditions include
toxoplasma encephalitis, cryptococcal meningitis, primary
central nervous system lymphoma, HIV-associated dementia,
progressive multifocal leukoencephalopath