Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalitis of the Immunocompromised Subject: A Case Report from Zinder National Hospital
Doutchi Mahamadou *
Faculty of Health Sciences, André Salifou University, Zinder, Niger and National Hospital of Zinder, Niger.
Souleymane Adoum Fils
Faculty of Health Sciences, André Salifou University, Zinder, Niger.
Lamine Mahaman Moustapha
National Hospital of Zinder, Niger and Faculty of Science and Technology, André Salifou University, Zinder, Niger.
Adamou Bara Abdoul-Aziz
Faculty of Health Sciences, André Salifou University, Zinder, Niger.
Bagnou Hamsatou
National Hospital of Zinder, Niger.
Garba Abdoul Aziz
Faculty of Health Sciences, André Salifou University, Zinder, Niger and National Hospital of Zinder, Niger.
Adehossi Eric
Faculty of Health Sciences, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey, Niger.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis (PML) is a rare opportunistic infection of HIV-infected individuals. It is a viral infection caused by the John Cunningham (JC) virus, which occurs during the AIDS stage. An elderly patient immunosuppressed by HIV for more than 5 years presented to the HNZ SMIT with headache, vomiting, visual disturbances, speech disorders and numbness of the limbs, all of which had been evolving in a febrile context for more than seven months. Neurological examination revealed left hemiparesis, frontal syndrome, temporal syndrome and homolateral hemianopia. Cerebral computed tomography revealed multiple lesions of leukoencephalitis. PCR revealed JC virus. The patient was put on corticosteroids, rehydration and nursing care. The course was marked by a progressive deterioration in the patient's neurological condition, culminating in death. We report the clinical, biological and CT features of this progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis.
Keywords: PML, JC virus, HIV