Epileptic seizures associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in HIV-infected patients in Korea

Abstract

We investigated the incidence and risk factors of seizures related to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in Korean patients infected with HIV. Of the 34 patients, 14 (41.2%) developed epileptic seizures during a median follow-up of 82 months. The median time from PML diagnosis to seizure onset was 44 months, ranging from 0 to 133 months. Patients with PML who developed seizures more commonly had cognitive impairment and multiple or diffuse lesions on brain MRI. These findings highlight the increased seizure risk among HIV-infected patients with PML at any stage of the disease, particularly in cases with extensive involvement.

Keywords: HIV; Incidence; Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; Seizures.