Human immunodeficiency virus, neuroinflammation, CD16+ pathobiological process, and haloperidol drug.

Sir,

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an important agent causing retrovirus infection. This infection results in immunodeficiency problem which can further lead to many clinical problems. HIV-associated neuroinflammation is an important neurological disorder that is due to the CD16+ monocyte transmigration across the blood–brain barrier.[1] To manage HIV-associated neuroinflammation, the present new focus is usually on CD16+ monocyte. The use of a therapeutic agent that can affect the CD16+ is expected to be a useful therapeutic approach. Here, the authors would like to discuss on the possible usefulness of haloperidol, a widely used antipsychotic drug.

Regarding the effect of haloperidol, it is accepted for usefulness in the management of neuropsychiatric problems such as delirium in HIV-infected patients.[2] Recently, haloperidol is also proposed as a possible inhibitor of HIV protease.[3] Here, the authors would like to discuss on another possible additional usefulness of haloperidol regarding CD16+ biological process in HIV-infected patients. Basically, haloperidol has anti-dopamine effect. Pathophysiologically, dopamine is reported for its association with CD16+ monocyte transmigration across the blood–brain barrier and the further consequent HIV-associated neuroinflammation.[4] Applying the standard common pathway mapping bioinformatics analysis, as used in the previous study,[4] the interrelationship among HIV infection and haloperidol neuroinflammation can be identified [Figure 1]. Hence, haloperidol that has actions against dopamine can further reduce the CD16+ monocyte transmigration across the blood–brain barrier and the further consequent HIV-associated neuroinflammation. Further study on the actual pharmacological effect of haloperidol in HIV patients is a very interesting research in clinical pharmacology.

Figure 1

The interrelationship among human immunodeficiency virus infection and haloperidol neuroinflammation

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Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.