Leucoencéphalite multifocale progressive à JC virus

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare disease due to the John Cunningham (JC) virus that mainly occurs in the context of immunosuppression, particularly in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Its clinical manifestations are quite polymorphic. Diagnostic confirmation, which until very recently required brain biopsy, can now be made by PCR detection of the JC virus in the cerebrospinal fluid. We report three “historical” cases of PML leading to the discovery of HIV infection that illustrate the extent of neuropsychiatric disorders and the difficult management challenge.