title: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: a rare infectious complication following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).
abstract: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a demyelinating disorder caused by brain infection with JC virus, is a neurological complication of immunocompromised states and immunosuppressive therapies. While most commonly seen in the HIV/AIDS population, patients with hematologic malignancies are also at risk following treatment protocols including monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Here, we present the case of PML following allogeneic HCT that highlights potential diagnostic difficulties. We also review the literature regarding PML following HCT and described therapies employed to attempt to treat this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: Allen J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Aksamit
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Eunhee S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Delone
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Litzow
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
keywords: allogeneic bone marrow transplantation; encephalitis; hematopoietic cell transplantation; immunocompromised host; progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy