ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: BK virus has been described previously in renal transplant patients, but has also been reported in cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. METHOD: A case of progressive BK virus multifocal leukoencephalopathy induced by long-term corticosteroid therapy is reported. RESULTS: In our case, BK virus was detected in cerebrospinal fluid by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A detailed review of similar cases in the literature showed most of them occurred in AIDS patients, but four involved immunocompetent patients. CONCLUSION: Though BK virus infection usually leads to urinary tract symptoms in immunologically suppressed patients, it is important to be aware of its neurological manifestations and to recognize BK infections that can occur in immunocompetent patients.
Subject(s)
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , BK Virus , Brain Diseases/drug therapy , Brain Diseases/pathology , Brain/pathology , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/complications , Tumor Virus Infections/drug therapy , Tumor Virus Infections/pathology , Aged , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Neuropathologic manifestations due to chronic ergotism are rare. OBSERVATION: We report the case of a 40-year-old patient who presented clinical signs and symptoms of a spinal lesion and also the symptoms of neuropathy involving the right sciatic nerve, more precisely the internal and external popliteal nerves, following ingestion of methysergide. Complete recovery was achieved with calcium blocker treatment. CONCLUSION: Ergotism should be considered in patients treated by ergot alkaloids presenting an atypical clinical manifestations.
