JC virus granule cell neuronopathy onset two months after chemotherapy for low-grade lymphoma

• Published in: Cerebellum & ataxias Vol. 4; no. 1; p. 8
• Main Authors: Holroyd, Kathryn B, Sotirchos, Elias S, DeBoer, Scott R, Mills, Kelly A, Newsome, Scott D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 23-06-2017; BioMed Central
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Ataxia; Care and treatment; Case Report; Chemotherapy; Diagnosis; Dosage and administration; Encephalitis; Gene mutation; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Immunotherapy; Lymphoma; Monoclonal antibodies; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Patients; Polyomavirus; Rare diseases; Rituximab; Targeted cancer therapy; Viral infections; Rituximab; Ataxia; Granule cell neuronopathy; Lymphoma; Cerebellar degeneration; Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
• ISSN: 2053-8871; 2053-8871
• DOI: 10.1186/s40673-017-0066-6

Granule cell neuronopathy (GCN) is a rare disease caused by the JC virus, leading to degeneration of cerebellar granule cell neurons. Primarily described in patients with AIDS, it has also been diagnosed in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases and after long-term treatment with immune-suppressing medications such as natalizumab.
A 69 year old woman presented with progressive ataxia which began 2 months after initiation of treatment for follicular low-grade B cell lymphoma with rituximab/bendamustine, and progressed for 2 years prior to admission. Extensive prior evaluation included MRI that showed atrophy of the cerebellum but normal CSF analysis and serum studies. Neurologic exam on admission was notable for severe appendicular ataxia and fatigable end-gaze direction-changing horizontal nystagmus. FDG-PET/CT scan was unremarkable and repeat lumbar puncture revealed 2 WBCs/mm
, 148 RBCs/mm
, glucose 70 mg/dL, protein 37.7 mg/dL and negative flow cytometry/cytopathology. Standard CSF JC virus PCR testing was negative, but ultrasensitive TaqMan real-time JC virus PCR testing was positive, consistent with JC virus-related GCN.
Because of the diagnostic challenges in identifying GCN, a high threshold of suspicion should be maintained in patients with an immune-suppressing condition such as lymphoma or on immune-suppressing agents such as rituximab, even shortly after initiation of therapy.