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Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient without apparent immunosuppression

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Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a viral demyelinating disease due to the reactivation of the JC virus (JCV), which usually occurs in the context of immunosuppression in HIV infection, malignancy, or in patients on disease modifying therapy for autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn’s disease. Notably, there is growing recognition that PML can occur in patients with transient immune dysfunction. Here, we present a case of a 55-year-old man without history of immunosuppression or evidence of ICL who was diagnosed with PML on brain biopsy. We will discuss the potential etiologies of mild and transient immunosuppression that can lead to PML with non-apparent immunosuppression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Jessie Grewal, Poorvi Dalal, Michelle Bowman & Jaime Imitola

  2. Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Michelle Bowman & Jaime Imitola

  3. Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Behiye Kaya & José Javier Otero

  4. Laboratory for Neural Stem Cells and Functional Neurogenetics, Division of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460W12th Ave, Biomedical Research Tower, Room 688, Columbus, OH, 43321, USA

    Jaime Imitola

Authors
  1. Jessie Grewal
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  2. Poorvi Dalal
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  3. Michelle Bowman
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  4. Behiye Kaya
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  5. José Javier Otero
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  6. Jaime Imitola
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Correspondence to Jaime Imitola.

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Grewal, J., Dalal, P., Bowman, M. et al. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient without apparent immunosuppression. J. Neurovirol. 22, 683–687 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13365-016-0459-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13365-016-0459-y

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