[Clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria and treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy].

The clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria and treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) are reviewed. PML is characterized by rapid progression and poor outcome, and therefore requires the diagnosis and treatment as early as possible. Diffusion-weighted and diffusion tensor MRI were reported to be useful for the evaluation of disease activity of PML. The detection of JCV-DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid by PCR has replaced the brain biopsy. Highly active antiretroviral therapy has improved both the survival rate and the neurological functions in HIV-associated PML. However, the treatment for immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, which often deteriorates neurological functions, has never been solved.