Open AccessPROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY ASSOCIATED TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS THERAPIES: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Author(s) -
Ana-Maria Vladila,
Dan-Andrei Mitrea,
Sanda Maria Nica,
Ioan Buraga
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
romanian journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 4
eISSN - 2069-6094
pISSN - 1843-8148
DOI - 10.37897/rjn.2015.4.4
Subject(s) - progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy , natalizumab , medicine , jc virus , multiple sclerosis , immunosuppression , epidemiology , disease , pathogenesis , leukoencephalopathy , opportunistic infection , central nervous system , pediatrics , immunology , pathology , virus , viral disease
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an opportunistic infection associated with the reactivation of the JC virus, causing a severe demyelination within the central nervous system in patients with immunosuppression caused by disease or secondary to use of drugs. Several therapies used in the treatment of MS have reported cases of associated PML, most cases being related to Natalizumab treatment. In this article we review specific MS medication with a reported risk for PML, and also revise PML epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment and available approaches on therapy in patients at high risk for developing this infection.