Development of primary central nervous system lymphoma associated with human immunodeficiency virus and JC virus infection

J Clin Exp Hematop. 2014;54(3):211-7. doi: 10.3960/jslrt.54.211.

Abstract

We report here a case of a 37-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection followed by JC virus (JCV) infection and primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). The patient had been infected with HIV type 1 due to blood products for hemophilia A during infancy. He had progression of nervous symptoms and was diagnosed with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) clinically at the age of 36, when his CD4-positive lymphocyte counts ranged between 350 and 450/μl. Oral mefloquine, intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy, and intravenous immunoglobulin were not effective for the PML, and the patient entered a vegetative state. Brain biopsy revealed JCV infection without pathological findings of PML. Eight months after the clinical diagnosis of PML, he developed respiratory failure and brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass lesion in the brain stem. The patient died 19 months after the diagnosis of PML. Autopsy findings were compatible with PCNSL. EBV-encoded small RNA-1-positive cells were not detected. We present a case of JCV-positive PCNSL with HIV infection complicated with clinical PML.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / virology*
  • HIV Infections / pathology*
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • Humans
  • JC Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / pathology*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / virology*
  • Lymphoma / pathology
  • Lymphoma / virology*
  • Male