title: Progressive multifocal leuco-encephalopathy.
abstract: Progressive multifocal leuco-encephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating viral infection of the central nervous system, usually fatal and characterized by widespread lesions mainly in the cerebral hemisphere. PML is a disease of adult life, usually occurring in a setting of chronic neoplastic disease and less often non-neoplastic granulomatous disease. The disorder usually evolves rapidly. Of all laboratory investigations electro-encephalography is the most useful for indicating the severity of pathological involvement. PML is believed to result from infection with papovaviruses, an SV40-like agent and a JC virus. Both viruses are oncogenic in hamsters. There is no effective therapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000473:pathology