Successful outcome of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a renal transplant patient

Am J Transplant. 2005 May;5(5):1151-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2005.00800.x.

Abstract

We report the case of a 47-year-old man who developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) after receiving immuno-suppressive therapy for renal transplantation. The patient presented with a focal seizure and cognitive changes 5 months post-transplantation. He was found to have enhancing lesions in the parietal lobe and typical findings of PML in a brain biopsy. Immunosuppression was discontinued and the neurological symptoms gradually resolved over a period of 4 weeks. The patient is free of any neurological symptoms 36 months after the diagnosis of PML and imaging studies demonstrate resolution of the PML lesions. The patient returned to hemodialysis 3 months after immunosuppression was discontinued. We also present a review of the literature on PML in renal transplant recipients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Brain / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • JC Virus / metabolism
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / etiology*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephritis, Hereditary / complications
  • Oligodendroglia / metabolism
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents