title: Prolonged survival in AIDS-related progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy following anti-retroviral therapy and cidofovir.
abstract: We describe the case of a 44-year-old man who developed sub-acute cerebellar ataxia due to AIDS-related progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML) caused by JC virus. Following treatment with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and cidofovir, he made a marked neurological improvement and is leading an independent life 18 months after the diagnosis of PML. Early recognition of AIDS-related PML and treatment with HAART improves prognosis. Cidofovir, an inhibitor of viral DNA polymerase, appears to have an additive beneficial effect and should be considered especially in patients who fail to improve despite treatment with HAART and in patients who have a high JC virus load in CSF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. mark.roberts@cimr.cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: M T M
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.forename: A M L
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lever
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000821:virology; D000077404:Cidofovir; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D063065:Organophosphonates; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D063065:Organophosphonates; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D003596:Cytosine; D000077404:Cidofovir