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)