[Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and AIDS. Response to cytarabine].

PML affects 4% of patients with AIDS and there is no effective treatment. Five cases of PML-AIDS have been described, showing clinical and radiological improvement after treatment with C-ara. We describe the case of a 33-year-old woman, addict to heroin, her clinical record including VIH infection, pneumonia by P. carinii, milliary tuberculosis, infection by virus B and C and treatment with AZT and tuberculostatics since January, 1992. In May, she began to develop a cerebellar syndrome. Images obtained with nuclear magnetic resonance were typical of PML. Subsequently, treatment with C-ara (2 mg/kg/day IV during 5 days each 4-6 weeks) was begun. From the third month of treatment on, the patient showed a clinical improvement and as of the sixth month, the affected areas of white substance were reduced in size. In addition, CD4 improved. Although in this patient a positive effect was observed after treatment with C-area, it should be verified in a controlled clinical trial.