Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal

Synonyms

Encephalitis, JC Polyomavirus

Encephalopathies, JC Polyomavirus

Encephalopathy, JC Polyomavirus

JC Polyomavirus Encephalitis

JC Polyomavirus Encephalopathy

Leukoencephalopathies, Progressive Multifocal

Multifocal Leukoencephalopathies, Progressive

Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathies

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

An opportunistic viral infection of the central nervous system associated with conditions that impair cell-mediated immunity (e.g., ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME and other IMMUNOLOGIC DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES; HEMATOLOGIC NEOPLASMS; IMMUNOSUPPRESSION; and COLLAGEN DISEASES). The causative organism is JC Polyomavirus (JC VIRUS) which primarily affects oligodendrocytes, resulting in multiple areas of demyelination. Clinical manifestations include DEMENTIA; ATAXIA; visual disturbances; and other focal neurologic deficits, generally progressing to a vegetative state within 6 months. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1996, Ch26, pp36-7)