Measurement of intraepidermal nerve fibre density in individuals with antiretroviral toxic neuropathy
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Date
2014-02-11
Authors
Patel, Imraan Goolam
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Abstract
HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) is a common complication of HIV infection and its treatment with dideoxynucleoside drugs such as stavudine. Pain is a symptom in about 75% of cases of HIV-SN. The aim of this study was to set up the intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) quantification technique in a South African Laboratory and then to use this technique to investigate whether the presence of pain in individuals with HIV-associated sensory neuropathy was associated with the dying back of epidermal nerve fibres at the site at which pain was experienced.
Description
Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine, Johannesburg, 2011