Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy triggered by COVID-19 in a previously asymptomatic person living with undiagnosed HIV infection

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Vol. 137; pp. 1 - 3
• Main Authors: Pessoa-Gonçalves, Yago Marcos, Farnesi-de-Assunção, Thaís Soares, de Sousa, Marlos Aureliano Dias, Ferreira, Luis Marcos, Matos, Beatriz Sodré, Borges, Anna Victória Bernardes, Oliveira-Scussel, Ana Carolina de Morais, da Silva, Alex Eduardo, Oliveira, Carlo José Freire, da Silva, Marcos Vinicius, Rodrigues, Virmondes
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2023
• ISSN: 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.09.020

This report presents the case of a 47-year-old male patient who worked as a mathematics teacher and experienced the sudden onset of disorientation, aphasia, and acalculia during an online class. The current study reveals the first documented case of HIV and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and human polyomavirus 2 (previously known as John Cunningham virus) in the cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore, serum analysis revealed elevated concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and IL-8, which are potential factors known to reduce the expression of tight junctions and adhesion molecules in the extracellular matrix, thereby affecting the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Finally, the study discusses whether SARS-CoV-2 triggers or exacerbates progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.