Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Nervous System Disease in HIV Infection

Sub-Optimal Vitamin B-12 Levels among ART-Naïve HIV-Positive Individuals in an Urban Cohort in Uganda

“…Among 200 HIV-positive individuals in Montreal, Canada, a higher prevalence of 30.5% at a higher cut-off of <300 pmol/l (equivalent to 406 pg/ml) was reported [6]. We note that in some of the aforementioned studies, individuals had taken antiretroviral therapy in varying degrees [4], [5], [8], [9], [16], [20] making their findings not directly comparable to ours. Even so, the 36.8% prevalence of sub-optimal B-12 we find in our study is still high given the 37.5% reported use of vitamin B-12 containing supplements overall.…”

“…This finding has not been reported before although other neuro-cognitive disorders have been associated with sub-optimal vitamin B-12 such as; myelopathy [10], neuropathy [10], cognitive changes [8], [9] among HIV-infected adults [20]. In fact, mood disorders such as bipolar affective disorders have been reported among HIV-infected individuals even in Uganda [21], [22].…”

Sub-Optimal Vitamin B-12 Levels among ART-Naïve HIV-Positive Individuals in an Urban Cohort in Uganda

“…Among 200 HIV-positive individuals in Montreal, Canada, a higher prevalence of 30.5% at a higher cut-off of <300 pmol/l (equivalent to 406 pg/ml) was reported [6]. We note that in some of the aforementioned studies, individuals had taken antiretroviral therapy in varying degrees [4], [5], [8], [9], [16], [20] making their findings not directly comparable to ours. Even so, the 36.8% prevalence of sub-optimal B-12 we find in our study is still high given the 37.5% reported use of vitamin B-12 containing supplements overall.…”

“…This finding has not been reported before although other neuro-cognitive disorders have been associated with sub-optimal vitamin B-12 such as; myelopathy [10], neuropathy [10], cognitive changes [8], [9] among HIV-infected adults [20]. In fact, mood disorders such as bipolar affective disorders have been reported among HIV-infected individuals even in Uganda [21], [22].…”

Cerebral White Matter Demyelination in Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Case Report

“…A level between 200 pmol/L and 900 pmol/L is considered normal, however a level of 300 to 350 pmol/L is considered desirable. A common cutoff is kept at 156 pmol/L, 3 however there is a wide variability in the values in different countries.…”

Association between Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Neuronal Injury in HIV Infection

“…Previous studies of the association of B vitamin levels and neurocognitive function in untreated HIV-infected individuals have been inconclusive [ 23 – 25 ]. Impaired information processing speed and visuospatial problem solving abilities have been reported in untreated, neuroasymptomatic HIV-infected individuals with B 12 deficiencies [ 23 ].…”

Sub-Optimal Vitamin B-12 Levels among ART-Naïve HIV-Positive Individuals in an Urban Cohort in Uganda

“…Among 200 HIV-positive individuals in Montreal, Canada, a higher prevalence of 30.5% at a higher cut-off of <300 pmol/l (equivalent to 406 pg/ml) was reported [6]. We note that in some of the aforementioned studies, individuals had taken antiretroviral therapy in varying degrees [4], [5], [8], [9], [16], [20] making their findings not directly comparable to ours. Even so, the 36.8% prevalence of sub-optimal B-12 we find in our study is still high given the 37.5% reported use of vitamin B-12 containing supplements overall.…”

“…This finding has not been reported before although other neuro-cognitive disorders have been associated with sub-optimal vitamin B-12 such as; myelopathy [10], neuropathy [10], cognitive changes [8], [9] among HIV-infected adults [20]. In fact, mood disorders such as bipolar affective disorders have been reported among HIV-infected individuals even in Uganda [21], [22].…”

Cerebral White Matter Demyelination in Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Case Report

“…A level between 200 pmol/L and 900 pmol/L is considered normal, however a level of 300 to 350 pmol/L is considered desirable. A common cutoff is kept at 156 pmol/L, 3 however there is a wide variability in the values in different countries.…”

Association between Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Neuronal Injury in HIV Infection

“…Previous studies of the association of B vitamin levels and neurocognitive function in untreated HIV-infected individuals have been inconclusive [ 23 – 25 ]. Impaired information processing speed and visuospatial problem solving abilities have been reported in untreated, neuroasymptomatic HIV-infected individuals with B 12 deficiencies [ 23 ].…”

Sub-Optimal Vitamin B-12 Levels among ART-Naïve HIV-Positive Individuals in an Urban Cohort in Uganda

“…Among 200 HIV-positive individuals in Montreal, Canada, a higher prevalence of 30.5% at a higher cut-off of <300 pmol/l (equivalent to 406 pg/ml) was reported [6]. We note that in some of the aforementioned studies, individuals had taken antiretroviral therapy in varying degrees [4], [5], [8], [9], [16], [20] making their findings not directly comparable to ours. Even so, the 36.8% prevalence of sub-optimal B-12 we find in our study is still high given the 37.5% reported use of vitamin B-12 containing supplements overall.…”

“…This finding has not been reported before although other neuro-cognitive disorders have been associated with sub-optimal vitamin B-12 such as; myelopathy [10], neuropathy [10], cognitive changes [8], [9] among HIV-infected adults [20]. In fact, mood disorders such as bipolar affective disorders have been reported among HIV-infected individuals even in Uganda [21], [22].…”

Cerebral White Matter Demyelination in Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Case Report

“…A level between 200 pmol/L and 900 pmol/L is considered normal, however a level of 300 to 350 pmol/L is considered desirable. A common cutoff is kept at 156 pmol/L, 3 however there is a wide variability in the values in different countries.…”

Association between Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Neuronal Injury in HIV Infection

“…Previous studies of the association of B vitamin levels and neurocognitive function in untreated HIV-infected individuals have been inconclusive [ 23 – 25 ]. Impaired information processing speed and visuospatial problem solving abilities have been reported in untreated, neuroasymptomatic HIV-infected individuals with B 12 deficiencies [ 23 ].…”