Epstein-Barr Encephalitis in a Child with Congenital Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: A Case Report Calling for No Forgetfulness

Curr HIV Res. 2020;18(1):63-66. doi: 10.2174/1570162X17666191017101223.

Abstract

Background: In resource-rich settings, the rate of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has dramatically decreased by virtue of a combination of preventive strategies during the last two decades.

Case presentation: We present a case of progressive developmental milestone loss in a toddler with previously unknown congenitally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, complicated by an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) coinfection.

Conclusion: Our report underscores the differential diagnosis between HIV encephalopathy and EBV encephalitis and the vertical transmission of the HIV infection, which constitutes an alarming issue in terms of public health.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus; Human immunodeficiency virus; developmental regression; encephalitis; encephalopathy; vertical transmission..

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dysarthria / pathology
  • Dysarthria / virology
  • Encephalitis / diagnosis*
  • Encephalitis / pathology
  • Encephalitis / virology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology*
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / pathology*
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical*
  • Male

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents