Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) manifesting Gerstmann's syndrome

Tohoku J Exp Med. 1998 Nov;186(3):169-79. doi: 10.1620/tjem.186.169.

Abstract

We reported a case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) via multiple blood transfusions, who manifested progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) about 18 months after the development of AIDS. PML initiated with right hemiparesis, dysphasia, and Gerstmann's syndrome and resulted in death within 2 months after the onset. Neuroimaging examinations revealed white matter lesions mainly in the left posterior parietal lobe. The cortical gray matter also showed abnormal signal intensity. Peripheral CD4+ lymphocyte count was 81/microl. Routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations were negative. CSF antibodies against herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus as well as serum antibody against toxoplasma gondii were negative. Though autopsy or biopsy of the brain was not performed, JC virus genomes were detected in the CSF sample by a polymerase chain reaction, and their sequencing showed unique alterations of the regulatory regions, characteristic to PML-type JC virus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Brain / pathology
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / virology
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Gerstmann Syndrome / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Gerstmann Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Gerstmann Syndrome / etiology*
  • Humans
  • JC Virus / genetics
  • JC Virus / isolation & purification
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / complications*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / diagnosis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • DNA, Viral