[Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy]

Ideggyogy Sz. 2007 May 30;60(5-6):263-8.
[Article in Hungarian]

Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a rare disease caused by the reactivation of an opportunistic agent, JC virus almost in every cases in immunodeficient conditions. The disease is characterized by multifocal demyelinating lesions of the central nervous system and causes death within a few months. The authors report two patients: a 67 year-old male treated because of chronic lymphoid leukemia, and a 19 year-old male having a hereditary immunodeficiency, X-linked hyper IgM syndrome. In both cases continuously progressive right, later both hemispheric signs were detected. Cerebrospinal fluid was not helpful. Brain MRI showed bilateral large, white matter lesion. The progression was not influenced by the treatment, finally both patient died ten and six weeks after the appearance of first complaints. The diagnosis was confirmed by brain biopsy and autopsy in both cases. Our cases demonstrate that progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy can develop in various immunodeficiencies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain / virology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Hyper-IgM Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Type 1 / complications
  • Hyper-IgM Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Type 1 / drug therapy
  • JC Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / complications
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / diagnosis*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / drug therapy
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / etiology*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / immunology
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / pathology
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / virology
  • Male
  • Polyomavirus Infections / complications
  • Tumor Virus Infections / complications

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents