Epstein-Barr virus-associated meningoencephalomyelitis: intrathecal reactivation of the virus in an immunocompetent child

J Child Neurol. 2008 Sep;23(9):1072-7. doi: 10.1177/0883073808315414.

Abstract

Neurologic complications, including meningoencephalitis, transverse myelitis, and peripheral neuropathy, have been reported in patients with acute infectious mononucleosis. Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus and human immunodeficiency virus infections occasionally induce central nervous system lymphoma. On the other hand, central nervous system disease alone associated with Epstein-Barr virus rarely occurs in previously healthy individuals. A 15-year-old girl who developed acute disseminated encephalomyelitis-like disease presenting fever, anuresis, diplopia, and muscle weakness is described here. Clinical and neuroimaging studies led to the diagnosis of encephalomyelitis. Despite the absence of infectious mononucleosis-like symptoms, anti-Epstein-Barr virus antibody titers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid showed the virus reactivation. The copy number of Epstein-Barr virus DNA increased in cerebrospinal fluid but not in peripheral blood. Ganciclovir and repeated methyl-prednisolone pulse therapy resulted in complete resolution. Central nervous system disease on the limited intrathecal reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus in immunocompetent children should be differentiated from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain / virology
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Encephalitis, Viral / immunology
  • Encephalitis, Viral / physiopathology
  • Encephalitis, Viral / virology*
  • Female
  • Gene Dosage / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence / immunology
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / complications*
  • Infectious Mononucleosis / virology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Meninges / pathology
  • Meninges / physiopathology
  • Meninges / virology
  • Meningitis, Viral / immunology
  • Meningitis, Viral / physiopathology
  • Meningitis, Viral / virology*
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord / virology
  • Subarachnoid Space / pathology
  • Subarachnoid Space / physiopathology
  • Subarachnoid Space / virology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load
  • Virus Replication / physiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral