Sunday, 1 January 2012

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)

-infection of oligodendrocytes by JC virus (a polyomavirus)
- characterised by progressive damage or inflammation of white matter at multiple locations
- occurs almost exclusively in immunosuppressed individuals
- presents with focal neurological deficits such as aphasia, hemiparesis, behavioural changes and cortical blindness.
- MRI: multifocal non enhancing lesions without mass effects
- viral PCR for JC virus
- brain biopsy (asymmetric foci of demyelination and intranuclear inclusion containing JC virus) has sensitivity of 74-92% and specificity of 92-100%
- no effective treatment but progression can be slowed by initiation of antiretroviral therapy

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4 comments:

  1. MMR4 February 2012 at 00:31

    another Polyoma virus is BK Virus. responsible for Kidney Transplant Acute Rejection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KIM, ALEX6 February 2012 at 23:32

      Treatment for BK virus infection in patient with renal transplant is by reduction of immunosuppression

      Delete
  2. John17 April 2012 at 03:10

    Hi. I was wondering how do you spot this on an MRI? Is the PML caused damage shows up as a white area on the MRI? I was also wondering where I could find some good medical article about progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy treatment?

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. melody2 May 2012 at 22:16

    PML shows hyperintense white matter lesions in T2 weighted MRI.

    ReplyDelete