Haydarpasa Numune Med J. 2024; 64(4): 555-557 | DOI: 10.14744/hnhj.2023.89990

A Case of PML Developing Secondary to Kidney Transplantation Treatment (Immunosuppressive Therapy)

Selin Betaþ Akýn, Gökçe Zeytin Demiral, Elif Topay, Ülkü Türk Börü
Department of Neurology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare and often fatal central nervous system (CNS) disease caused by the John Cunningham polyomavirus (JCV). Here, we present a case of PML that developed 12 years after kidney transplantation in a 36-year-old patient. The patient presented to the emergency department with weakness and numbness in the right arm, which resolved after treatment, restoring normal muscle strength. Treatment involved a gradual reduction of immunosuppressive therapy and plasmapheresis every other day for five days. PML can have an aggressive and fatal course, but our case was considered to have a favorable (atypical) onset of PML. Early diagnosis and treatment are believed to impact the prognosis of PML.

Keywords: Central Nervous System, John Cunningham Polyomavirus, Kidney Transplantation, Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy.

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