title: Relation of JC virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid to survival in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with biopsy-proven progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115-6017, USA.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Yiannoutsos
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Major
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Curfman
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gravell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Clifford
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral