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Objective: To identify the etiology of new-onset seizure in HIV-infected Zambian adults and identify risk factors for seizure recurrence.Methods: A prospective cohort study enrolling HIV-infected adults with new-onset seizure within 2 weeks of index seizure obtained clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging data to determine seizure etiology. Participants were followed to identify risk factors for seizure recurrence. Risk factors for mortality were examined as mortality rates were unexpectedly high.Results: Eighty-one patients with CSF for analysis were enrolled and followed for a median of 306 days (interquartile range 61-636). Most (91%) were at WHO stage III/IV and 66 (81%) had a preseizure Karnofsky score $50. Prolonged or multiple seizures occurred in 46 (57%), including 12 (15%) with status epilepticus. Seizure etiologies included CNS opportunistic infections (OI) in 21 (26%), hyponatremia in 23 (28%), and other infections in 8 (10%). OIs included Cryptococcus (17%), JC virus (7%) and 5% each for tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, and varicella-zoster virus. No etiology could be identified in 16 (20%). Thirty (37%) patients died during follow-up and 20 (25%) had recurrent seizures with survival being the only identifiable risk factor. Seizures are common in the HIV-infected population, often occurring in the setting of advanced stages of immunosuppression.1 New-onset seizure has been reported in up to 11% of HIVinfected individuals, 2,3 but seizure recurrence risk and risks factors for epilepsy development in HIV-infected individuals with new-onset seizure have not been delineated. Most African regions with high HIV prevalence continue to rely largely on older, enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for epilepsy management. Given the potential for drug interactions between enzymeinducing AEDs and combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), their co-usage is not recommended, 4,5 but other seizure treatment options are often limited or nonexistent. 6 Data on the risk of seizure recurrence in HIV-infected people with new-onset seizure are needed to help guide the decision whether or not to initiate AEDs, particularly given the risk of increased drug toxicity

Objectives The aim of the study was to describe patient characteristics and outcomes among HIV-positive adults presenting to a Zambian tertiary care hospital with new-onset seizures. Methods From July 2011 to June 2013, adults with seizures and a known or probable diagnosis of HIV infection were screened for a cohort study. Demographic and clinical data were obtained, including information on engagement in HIV services and in-patient mortality. Analyses were conducted to identify characteristics associated with poor engagement in care and death. Results A total of 320 of 351 screened adults were HIV-positive, with 268 of 320 experiencing new-onset seizures. Of these, 114 of 268 (42.5%) were female, and their mean age was 36.8 years. Seventy-nine of the 268 patients (29.5%) were diagnosed with HIV infection during the index illness. Among those who were aware of their HIV-positive status, 59 of 156 (37.8%) had disengaged from care. Significant functional impairment (Karnofsky score < 50) was evident in 44.0% of patients. Cerebrospinal fluid was not obtained in 108 of 268 (40.3%). In-patient mortality outcomes were available for 214 patients, and 47 of these 214 (22.0%) died during hospitalization. Patients with significant functional impairment were more likely to undergo lumbar puncture (P = 0.046). Women and the functionally impaired were more likely to die (P = 0.04 and < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Despite the availability of care, less than half of HIV-infected people with new-onset seizures were actively engaged in care and in-patient mortality rates were high. In the absence of clinical contraindication, lumbar puncture should be performed to diagnose treatable conditions and reduce morbidity and mortality. Continued efforts are needed to expand community-based testing and improve HIV care retention rates. Qualitative studies are needed to elucidate factors contributing to lumbar puncture usage in this population.