AIDS Research and Therapy (Jun 2007)

BK virus associated meningoencephalitis in an AIDS patient treated with HAART

  • Nogueira Roberta,
  • Filho Francisco,
  • Dauar Rafi F,
  • Ferrante Pasquale,
  • Delbue Serena,
  • Cedeno-Laurent Filiberto,
  • Fink Maria C,
  • Vidal José E,
  • Calore Eduardo E,
  • Pannuti Claudio S,
  • Trujillo J Roberto,
  • de Oliveira Augusto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-6405-4-13
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
p. 13

Abstract

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Abstract A severely immune-suppressed AIDS patient was suspected of suffering from BK virus (BKV) meningoencephalitis, after being studied for common causes of neurological complications of co-infectious origin. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and brain samples, confirmed the presence of BKV. His clinical condition improved along with the regression of brain lesions, after modifications on his antiretroviral regime. Five months after discharge, the patient was readmitted because of frequent headaches, and a marked inflammatory reaction was evidenced by a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The symptoms paralleled a rising CD4+ lymphocyte count, and immune reconstitution syndrome was suspected. This is the first non-postmortem report of BKV meningoencephalitis in an AIDS patient, showing clinical and radiographic improvement solely under HAART.