Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalitis of the Immunocompromised Subject: A Case Report from Zinder National Hospital

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis (PML) is a rare opportunistic infection of HIV-infected individuals. It is a viral infection caused by the John Cunningham (JC) virus, which occurs during the AIDS stage. An elderly patient immunosuppressed by HIV for more than 5 years presented to the HNZ SMIT with headache, vomiting, visual disturbances, speech disorders and numbness of the limbs, all of which had been evolving in a febrile context for more than seven months. Neurological examination revealed left hemiparesis, frontal syndrome, temporal syndrome and homolateral hemianopia. Cerebral computed tomography revealed multiple lesions of leukoencephalitis. PCR revealed JC virus. The patient was put on corticosteroids, rehydration and nursing care. The course was marked by a progressive deterioration in the patient's neurological condition, culminating in death. We report the clinical, biological and CT features of this progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis.