health
March 21, 2026
You're likely already infected with a brain-eating virus you've never heard of
Fatal brain infection was thought to be from profound immune suppression. Not anymore.
TL;DR
- The JC virus, or human polyomavirus 2, infects 50-90% of adults asymptomatically and can remain dormant for life.
- In some cases, the JC virus can activate and cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a severe and often fatal brain disease characterized by demyelination.
- PML has historically been associated with profound immune suppression, such as in patients with HIV/AIDS or those on certain immunosuppressive drugs.
- A recent case study suggests that chronic kidney disease (CKD), which affects up to 10% of adults worldwide, may also predispose individuals to PML.
- Researchers propose that CKD can lead to impaired immune cell function, chronic inflammation, and diminished viral surveillance, potentially allowing the JC virus to activate.
- The discovery expands the known spectrum of conditions that can lead to PML and calls for heightened awareness of this complication, especially as CKD prevalence increases globally.
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