Relation of JC virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid to survival in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with biopsy-proven progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
The detection and semiquantitation of JC virus (JCV) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is prognostic of survival and is a marker of the course of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). CSF samples from 15 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with biopsy-proven PML were analyzed by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A low JCV burden was predictive of longer survival compared with a high JCV burden (median survival from entry, 24 [2-63] vs 7.6 [4-17] weeks). Further analyses indicated a possible threshold of 50 to 100 copies/microl separating high- and moderate-risk cases. Patients with a JCV load below this level survived longer than those with a JCV load above it.
Yiannoutsos
C T
CT
Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115-6017, USA.
Major
E O
EO
Curfman
B
B
Jensen
P N
PN
Gravell
M
M
Hou
J
J
Clifford
D B
DB
Hall
C D
CD
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors
D004279:DNA, Viral