PML is a serious brain infection caused by the reactivation of the JC Virus in patients who are immunosuppressed, primarily due to drug treatment or disease.  Signs of PML include neurological symptoms which can be mistaken as MS symptoms.  Risk factors for PML include presence of JC virus antibodies in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid and immunosuppression (often by use of certain medications).  

For more information regarding the PML cases with Fumaderm and a compounded version of the same drug, here is an article I wrote on the subject - Tecfidera and PML: What’s the Story?  I'll say it again - there were NO cases of PML noted in patients taking Tecfidera (BG12) during clinical trials.

I like to be able to read the articles myself.  Having access to the same information which doctors do is important to me.  I prefer to be able to read the source directly rather than waiting for an office visit to have the information interpreted for me.

Do you ever read/download articles from medical journals?  If so, what are you favorite go-to resources for such articles?

Read the Letters to the Editor here:
Angel P. Sempere AP, Berenguer-Ruiz L, Khabbaz E.  Oral BG-12 in Multiple Sclerosis. N Engl J Med 2013; 368:1652-1653 April 25, 2013 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc1212740

Ummehan Ermis U, Weis J, Schulz JB.  PML in a Patient Treated with Fumaric Acid. N Engl J Med 2013; 368:1657-1658. April 25, 2013 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc1211805

van Oosten BW, Killestein J, et al.  PML in a Patient Treated with Dimethyl Fumarate from a Compounding Pharmacy.  N Engl J Med 2013; 368:1658-1659 April 25, 2013 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc1215357

Sweetser MT, Dawson KT, et al.  Manufacturer's Response to Case Reports of PML.  N Engl J Med 2013; 368:1659-1661 April 25, 2013DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc1300283

Lisa Emrich is author of the blog Brass and Ivory: Life with MS and RA and founder of the Carnival of MS Bloggers.