CD8 + T-lymphocyte Encephalitis: A Systematic Review.

The increase of CD8 + T lymphocytes in the perivascular spaces of patients with HIV encephalopathy has been reported in some studies. CD8 + T lymphocyte encephalitis was first described in 2013 and then a few other similar cases were published. We proposed to analyze the clinical, MR imaging, and histopathology findings of CD8 + T lymphocyte encephalitis. A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyzes protocol using the PubMed, Scopus, Lilacs, and IBECS databases up to February 3, 2018. Seven articles were included, two case series and five case reports. A total of 19 individuals were evaluated. MRI showed alterations in the white matter signal in all cases. Histopathology showed a predominance of CD8 + T lymphocytes. The findings described so far may resemble the inflammatory immune reconstitution syndrome. New studies on the subject are needed in an attempt to characterize the differences between these two entities.