Detection of JC virus archetype in cerebrospinal fluid in a MS patient with dimethylfumarate treatment without lymphopenia or signs of PML

J Neurol. 2018 Aug;265(8):1880-1882. doi: 10.1007/s00415-018-8931-7. Epub 2018 Jun 15.

Abstract

We report a 76-year-old MS patient, treated with DMF for 3 years. Lymphocytes never showed values below 1240/µl. CSF analysis revealed 1,988,880 copies/ml of JCV-DNA, JCV-DNA was detectable in serum and anti-JCV-antibody in CSF and serum were highly positive. Stratify®-JCV-test was positive. CD8-positive T-lymphocytes were reduced. Therapy with mefloquine, mirtazapine and cidofovir resulted in complete elimination of the virus in serum and 90% reduction of viral load in CSF. This case shows that despite careful monitoring for lymphopenia JCV spreading to the CSF may occur during treatment with DMF.

Keywords: Dimethylfumarate; Multiple sclerosis; PML; Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • DNA, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Dimethyl Fumarate / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • JC Virus* / genetics
  • JC Virus* / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / complications
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology*
  • Polyomavirus Infections / complications
  • Polyomavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Polyomavirus Infections / immunology
  • Tumor Virus Infections / complications
  • Tumor Virus Infections / drug therapy
  • Tumor Virus Infections / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • DNA, Viral
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Dimethyl Fumarate