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)
Also Known As:
Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal; JC Polyomavirus Encephalopathy; Encephalopathies, JC Polyomavirus; Encephalopathy, JC Polyomavirus; JC Polyomavirus Encephalitis; Leukoencephalopathies, Progressive Multifocal; Multifocal Leukoencephalopathies, Progressive; Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive; Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathies; Encephalitis, JC Polyomavirus