You're likely already infected with a brain-eating virus you've never heard of
A common virus may trigger a deadly brain disease.
The JC virus, a common pathogen that infects up to 90% of the population, can become lethal by triggering progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in certain individuals. Recent research highlights a concerning case of PML in a 72-year-old patient with stage-5 chronic kidney disease, suggesting that conditions leading to immune suppression may increase the risk of this devastating brain disease, which was previously thought to primarily affect those with severe immune deficiencies.
Key Takeaways
- 1.
Up to 90% of people may carry the JC virus, which can lead to PML.
- 2.
A recent case study identified PML in a patient with stage-5 chronic kidney disease.
- 3.
PML has historically been linked to severe immune suppression, affecting about 2 in 100,000 people globally.
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