title: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy complicating Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia.
abstract: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare demyelinating neurological disorder caused by JC virus. Immunocompromised patients such as those with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, AIDS and following organ transplantation are at increased risk. We report a patient with PML complicating longstanding Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia. Although PML is a rare occurrence, the newer highly immunosuppressive treatment approaches for patients with lymphoproliferative disorders necessitate a high index of clinical suspicion. The diagnosis should be considered in patients with compatible clinical features who have received long-term immunosuppressive treatments recognized to impair cellular immunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Monica A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Slavin
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Seymour
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy