J Korean Child Neurol Soc.  2009 Nov;17(2):247-252.

A Case of Encephalitis Caused by Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

• Do HJ
• Baek JG
• Yeom JS
• Park JS
• Park ES

Abstract

An 11-year-old girl was diagnosed with encephalitis due to Epstein-Barr virus(EBV). She was admitted to our hospital due to convulsion and decreased consciousness after several days of fever, sore throat and headache. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed lymphocyte-dominant pleocytosis and markedly elevated levels of protein. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) finding was normal, except for marked leptomeningeal enhancement. Even though she had signs and symptoms of infectious mononucleosis, EBV infection could not be considered as the underlying cause of the encephalitis until IgM for the viral capsid antigen of EBV had been detected in her blood. After treatment with acyclovir, a high dose of methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin, the neurological symptoms improved rapidly. She has not suffered from any neurological complications in the four months since being discharged. EBV infection should be considered as the main etiology in cases of childhood encephalitis, although there is no evidence of infectious mononucleosis existed.

Keyword

Infectious mononucleosis; Epstein-Barr virus Infections; Encephalitis

MeSH Terms

Acyclovir
Capsid
Child
Consciousness
Encephalitis
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections
Fever
Headache
Herpesvirus 4, Human
Humans
Immunoglobulin M
Immunoglobulins
Infectious Mononucleosis
Leukocytosis
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Methylprednisolone
Pharyngitis
Seizures
Acyclovir
Immunoglobulin M
Immunoglobulins
Methylprednisolone