Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in two natalizumab-treated stepsisters: An intriguing coincidence
Frédéric Bacchetta1, Amandine Mathias1, Myriam Schluep1
1Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Service of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Background:
Natalizumab, a treatment used in multiple sclerosis (MS), is associated with cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Objective:
We describe two cases of PML in related but not genetically apparented natalizumab-treated MS patients who are stepsisters. Reported cases/outcomes: While Patient 1 developed PML, Patient 2 was on natalizumab and had contacts with Patient 1. Patient 2 was diagnosed with PML 5 months after Patient 1.
Conclusion:
The clinical and temporal data highly suggest that there was JC virus (JCV) transmission from one patient to the other with development of PML as primo-infection in Patient 2.
