Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in an elderly immunocompetent-appearing patient: Relevance with L-selectin (CD62L) expression and immunosenescence

Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is attributed to reactivation of the John Cunningham virus (JCV), in the central nervous system as a result of immunosuppression. Low L-selectin (CD62L) expression on cryopreserved T-cells has been advocated as a biomarker for natalizumab related PML in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. A rare case of PML in an elderly patient without known factors of immunosuppression or immunomodulation is hereby presented. T-cell L-selectin expression levels and serum anti-JCV antibody index were evaluated in order to explore mechanistic insight to the pathways that presumably contribute towards PML development in this rare clinical setting.

Keywords: Ageing; Immunocompetent; Immunosenescence; L-selectin; Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy.