( Posted by - Desinie Smith )
JC Virus causes a fatal
disease in the brain called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
(PML) that occurs in many patients with immunocompromised conditions.
For example, more than five percent (5%) of AIDS patients develop PML.
Additionally, these conditions include, but are not limited to, cancers
such as leukemias and lymphomas, organ transplants such as kidney, heart
and autoimmune conditions with treatment that modulates the immune
system such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis,
and systemic lupus erythematosus. The finding of JCV DNA in the
patients with neurological symptoms of PML is a diagnostic criterion and
is needed to confirm the diagnosis of PML to rule out other
neurological conditions