AIDS-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Abstract

HIV is the main predisposing condition for the development of the disease, becoming more common than other causes of immunosuppression, and the incidence increased 50 times. Currently, 82% of PML patients have HIV. It is recognized as an important opportunistic infection that affects up to 5% of untreated HIV patients and is classified as an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection. In Brazil, it’s frequency is not well established, but it is the fourth most frequent neurologic opportunistic complication, after neurotoxoplasmosis, neurocryptococcosis and neurotuberculosis⁵. In large centers, even in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), cases have been described, especially in association with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS)⁶.