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Analysis of PCR as a tool for detection of JC virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Two polyomaviruses, JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV), affect humans. JCV is the causative agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), and detection of JCV in the central nervous system (CNS) is a prerequisite for confirmation of the disease. BKV is generally not associated with neurological disease, but involvement of BKV in patients with CNS disorders has been reported. In the present study polyomavirus DNA was detected by a nested PCR at a sensitivity corresponding to the detection of 10 copies of JCV DNA in 10 microliters of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF samples from 212 patients with neurological symptoms and immunodeficiencies were investigated for the presence of polyomavirus DNA. Of 128 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, 14 (11%) had JCV DNA in their CSF, and all 14 patients had clinical PML. BKV DNA was detected in one HIV-infected patient with neurological symptoms not compatible with PML. Among 84 HIV-negative patients, 6 (7%) had detectable JCV DNA in their CSF, confirming PML in patients with clinical conditions of T-cell lymphoma, chronic lymphatic leukemia, status postliver transplantation, congenital immunodeficiency, sarcoidosis, and immunodeficiency of unknown origin. The specificity of the PCR was confirmed by a clinical follow-up study which showed full agreement between the detection of JCV DNA in CSF and clinically manifest PML. The described PCR is a rapid, reproducible, and easily performed assay.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients with AIDS: is there a change in patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapies?].

AIMS: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) develops in up to 4-8% of all AIDS patients. Before highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) the median survival was only 4-6 months. In this study we analyzed epidemiological parameters in AIDS-related LMP patients in search for differences in the incidence and prognosis between before and after HAART era. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical histories of patients diagnosed of AIDS and PML at Hospital Meixoeiro in Vigo, Spain, between 01/01/94-31/05/97 (Before-HAART period) and 01/06/97-30/04/00 (After-HAART period). PML was diagnosed by clinical and neuroimaging criteria, with biopsy in 2 cases and positive JC virus hibridation in CSF in another case. RESULTS: We identified 12 patients (global prevalence of 3.8%, without differences between periods): 11 males, 10 intravenous drugs users (IDU), mean age of 38 years (31-43). In 6, LMP was the first opportunistic infection. When PML was diagnosed, 6 patients had a HIV viral load (VL) > 250.000 copies of RNA/ml (range, 254.003-3.170.000), and overall a mean CD4 lymphocytes counts of 89 x 10(6)/ml (40-134). Three patients received cytarabine + Interferon with zidovudine (2 patients) and zidovudine + lamivudine (1 patient) and other patient HAART + cidofovir, but no improvement was observed. The median survival was 10 months in before-HAART group and 17 months in after-HAART group, with a survival > 48 months in 2 patients in the last group. CONCLUSIONS: LMP is observed in severely immunosuppressed IDU men (VL > log 5 copies RNA/ml and CD4 < 150 x 106/ml). Complementary treatments were ineffective and only in patients with HAART a prolonged survival was observed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and apoptosis of infected oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system of patients with and without AIDS.

CONTEXT: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by JC virus (JCV) that occurs in immunocompromised patients. Demyelination of the CNS is a consequence of virus-induced killing of oligodendrocytes, although the exact mechanism of cell death is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To examine archival autopsy and surgical pathologic specimens from 8 patients with PML, including 6 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated PML and 2 patients with non-HIV-associated PML, for evidence of apoptosis. DESIGN: Apoptotic cells were identified by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end in situ labeling) or immunohistochemical detection of activated caspase 3. The JCV-infected cells were identified by in situ hybridization for viral transcripts or immunohistochemical analysis for JCV T antigen. RESULTS: Apoptosis of JCV-infected oligodendrocyte apoptosis was a prominent feature in all cases of both HIV- and non-HIV-associated PML. There were no differences between number or distribution of apoptotic cells identified by TUNEL or immunohistochemical analysis for activated caspase 3. Bizarre astrocytes were occasionally positive for JCV but were not apoptotic. Neurons, astrocytes, macrophages, and oligodendrocytes remote from lesions were neither apoptotic nor JCV infected. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that apoptosis occurs in oligodendrocytes associated with demyelinated lesions of patients with both HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated PML. There were no differences in degree, location, or type of infected or apoptotic cells between patients with HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated PML. The extent of apoptosis did not correlate with the presence or intensity of host inflammatory response. Accumulation of viral particles in nuclei of infected cells made it difficult to identify morphologic changes in the nucleus typically associated with apoptosis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Highly active antiretroviral therapy significantly improves the prognosis of patients with HIV-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of different antiretroviral therapies on the prognosis of AIDS patients affected by progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all HIV-infected patients admitted to hospital between 1988 and 1996 found 29 patients (25 men) with histologically or PCR-confirmed PML. Their mean age was 39.3 years. The median CD4 cell count was 40 x 10(6)/l (mean, 106 x 10(6)/l). Six patients had CD4 cell counts > 200 x 10(6)/l. Fourteen patients never received or stopped antiretroviral therapy following diagnosis (group A), 10 patients were treated with nucleoside analogues alone (group B), and five patients started highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) including protease inhibitors (group C). RESULTS: The median survival following the onset of symptoms was 131 days, but differed significantly between the three groups: group A, 127 days; group B, 123 days; group C, > 500 days (P < 0.0002 for the difference between group C versus group A and B, stratified log-rank test). As of July 1997, four out of five patients on HAART were still alive 391, 500, 543, and 589 days after diagnosis of PML and have either experienced a resolution of the symptoms (three patients) or had progressed very slowly (one patient). A multivariate analysis using Cox regression found younger age at diagnosis to be the only other variable associated with improved survival (P < 0.02). CD4 cell count, gender, prior AIDS diagnosis, mode of HIV transmission, and therapy with foscarnet, cytarabine, or interferon-alpha did not affect survival in this cohort (P > 0.1). CONCLUSION: This study of a large cohort of patients with confirmed PML indicates that AIDS patients with PML may benefit significantly from HAART. All patients with PML should be offered optimal antiretroviral combination therapy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: value of diffusion-weighted and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis and treatment control.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by the replication of JC virus in oligodendrocytes of immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis usually relies on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based demonstration of JC virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid. As previous reports have suggested that some patients may benefit from antiviral therapy, non-invasive early diagnosis is highly desirable. Repetitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations (two to nine) were obtained in seven patients (aged 40-67 years, six males, one female) with classical clinical and imaging findings of PML. Five patients had underlying hematological disorders and two acquired immune deficiency syndrome. PCR of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen was positive for JC virus DNA in six patients. MRI sequences included T2-, T1- and diffusion-weighted (DW) images in all patients and diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) in four cases. DTI was once performed at 3T, in the remaining patients at 1.5T. All patients received antiviral treatment with cidofovir in addition to the treatment of the underlying disorder. MRI showed areas of T2 hyperintensity with involvement of the subcortical U-fibers and restricted diffusion in all patients. Areas of diffusion abnormality correlated with disease progress. Contrast enhancement was encountered once after successful treatment and heralded clinical remission with virus elimination from the CSF. Hence, MRI including DW and contrast-enhanced images may be used to evaluate disease activity. Contrast enhancement may indicate an inflammatory response and thus herald immunologic virus elimination.

Adult↗