Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in 108 patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by an opportunistic infection with JC polyoma virus (JCPyV) and mainly affects immunocompromised patients. It leads to pronounced demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in severe disability or even death. Detection of JCPyV DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is usually accepted as proof for the diagnosis of PML. Routine CSF parameters, like CSF cell count, protein concentration, Qalbumin, or intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis are mostly considered normal. However, this has not been investigated systematically. METHODS:We analyzed routine CSF parameters in a cohort of 108 PML patients that were treated at four different neurological centers in Germany. The patients exhibited different underlying conditions with natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis (n?=?54) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection (n?=?25) being the most frequent. The data were collected at the respective centers in accordance with local requirements and then jointly analyzed. The total PML cohort was compared with a control group of patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Multiple sclerosis and HIV patients were additionally compared with their own non-PML control groups. RESULTS:The PML group showed an elevated cell count (p?

SUBMITTER: Mohn N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7590675 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature