Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in an HIV patient receiving successful long-term HAART

J Neurovirol. 2011 Apr;17(2):196-9. doi: 10.1007/s13365-011-0020-y. Epub 2011 Mar 29.

Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has been traditionally associated to severe immunosuppression and described mainly in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-naïve patients with a low lymphocyte CD4+ count. In the last years, some cases of PML have been described in HIV patients with a higher CD4+ count shortly after initiation of HAART and in association with the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). We report on a rare case of PML, not IRIS associated, that occurred in a HIV-positive patient with a lymphocyte CD4+ count greater than 700/µl and with an undetectable HIV viral load resulting from a long-term HAART. We describe the pathological and the ultrastructural features of the brain lesion. This case confirms that a severe immunosuppression or an IRIS is not required for the development of PML in HIV positives. The diagnosis of PML should always be considered in patients with consistent neurological symptoms, even with a high lymphocyte CD4+ level and a full viral suppression resulting from a long-term HAART.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / pathology*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain / ultrastructure
  • Brain / virology*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Female
  • HIV / drug effects
  • HIV / growth & development
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Italy
  • JC Virus / pathogenicity
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / drug therapy
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / etiology
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / pathology*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / virology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral