HIV infection associated with symptoms indistinguishable from functional psychosis.

Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), who present with or develop psychotic symptoms, almost invariably have evidence of cognitive impairment. Three psychotic patients, one with AIDS, and two with AIDS-related complex (ARC), who showed no evidence of cognitive impairment, are reported. It is suggested that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may produce symptoms indistinguishable from those seen in the functional psychoses.