Distal sensory polyneuropathy in human immunodeficiency virus patients and nucleoside analogue antiretroviral agents

Distal sensory polyneuropathy, which occur commonly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients can occur as a consequence of the disease itself or the antiretroviral treatment the patient is receiving. Among the antiretroviral agents, nucleoside analogues are commonly associated with neuropathy and the main underlying mechanism is thought to be the mitochondrial toxicity exhibited by these agents. Clinical presentation of antiretroviral induced neuropathy is similar to that associated with the HIV infection and in many patients they may overlap. Treatment is primarily symptomatic and certain pathogenesis-based approaches have shown promising results.