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Neurologic Consequences of the Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS)

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Abstract

Although major advancements have been made in the treatment of HIV infection, graft-versus-host reactions, and autoimmune diseases, an unexpected consequence of treatment has been the emergence of a devastating inflammatory syndrome, termed the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). The pathophysiology of the syndrome is poorly understood, and the syndrome poses unique challenges for diagnosis and treatment. We have reviewed the neurologic manifestations of IRIS in the context of HIV infection as well as in the setting of treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, in which compartmental immune suppression may occur without an obvious underlying immune suppression. The purpose of this review is to identify common themes that may assist in the diagnosis and management of these IRIS syndromes.

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Acknowledgment

Dr. Avindra Nath has received a grant from the US National Institutes of Health.

Disclosure

No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL, 33125, USA

    Micheline McCarthy

  2. Bruce Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL, 33125, USA

    Micheline McCarthy

  3. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 509 Pathology, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Avindra Nath

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  1. Micheline McCarthy
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  2. Avindra Nath
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Correspondence to Micheline McCarthy.

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McCarthy, M., Nath, A. Neurologic Consequences of the Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS). Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 10, 467–475 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-010-0138-y

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