John Cunningham virus
Understanding JC Virus and Its Impact on Health - Comprehensive Guide
The John Cunningham virus, commonly known as JC virus (JCV), is a human polyomavirus that is typically harmless in most people but can cause severe neurological disease in some individuals, particularly those with compromised immune systems. The virus is widely prevalent, with the majority of adults having been exposed to it, usually during childhood or adolescence. It remains latent in the body, particularly in the kidneys, bone marrow, and possibly the brain.
It was first identified in 1971 and is named after a patient, John Cunningham, from whom the virus was initially isolated. The virus is widespread, with a significant portion of the adult population having been exposed to it by adulthood.
JC virus is best known for causing Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare and often fatal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. PML occurs almost exclusively in individuals with severely weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS, individuals undergoing chronic corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy, cancer patients, and those receiving certain biological treatments that inhibit immune system function.
In PML, the JC virus reactivates and infects oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for producing the myelin sheath that surrounds nerves. This leads to widespread demyelination, impairing the electrical conduction of nerves in the brain and causing a rapid decline in neurological function. Symptoms of PML can include cognitive impairments, motor deficits, speech difficulties, vision problems, and personality changes, all of which can progress over weeks to months.
There is no cure for PML, and the focus of treatment is on improving the immune function, which can help control the spread of the virus. This includes effective treatment of the underlying condition contributing to immune suppression, such as antiretroviral therapy in patients with HIV/AIDS or altering immunomodulatory therapies.
Reference
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_polyomavirus_2
[2] https://radiopaedia.org/articles/john-cunningham-virus-1?lang=us
[3] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000674.htm
[4] https://www.webmd.com/brain/jc-virus
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3128336/
[6] https://mstrust.org.uk/a-z/jc-virus-and-pml
[7] https://www.verywellhealth.com/an-overview-of-john-cunningham-virus-4688570
[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/jc-virus
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