Favourable outcome of progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy in two patients with dermatomyositis. Issue 9 (16th August 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vulliemoz, S; Lurati-Ruiz, F; Borruat, F-X; Delavelle, J; Koralnik, I J; Kuntzer, T; Bogousslavsky, J; Picard, F; Landis, T; Du Pasquier, R A
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 77:Issue 9(2006)
• Page Start: 1079
• Page End: 1082
• Publication Date: 2006-08-16
• Subjects: Ara-C, cytosine-arabinoside -- JCV, JC virus -- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging -- PCR, polymerase chain reaction -- PML, progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2006.092353
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML), a demyelinating disease caused by the JC virus (JCV), occurs in immunosuppressed patients and carries a poor prognosis. A favourable outcome is reported in two patients with PML and dermatomyositis. Immunosuppressive drugs were stopped in patient 1 but could only be partially tapered in patient 2. The JCV-specific CD8+ T cell response was strong in patient 1 and weak in patient 2. Both were treated with cytosine-arabinoside, and patient 2 was also treated with mirtazapine, a 5HT2A receptor antagonist. Combination of these drugs might be helpful to treat HIV-negative patients with PML.