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Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
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[Neurological disorder associated to EBV: three case reports]

S Luchi1, L Del Bono, A Vincenti

  • 1U.O. Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliera Pisana, Pisa, Italy.

Le Infezioni in Medicina
|January 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause serious neurological illness, even without typical infectious mononucleosis symptoms. Early suspicion and diagnosis of EBV are crucial for treating these rare neurological complications.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Context:

  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is linked to diverse clinical outcomes.
  • Neurological involvement (NI) occurs in 1-5% of infectious mononucleosis cases, with isolated NI being rarer.
  • EBV can manifest as various neurological disorders.

Purpose:

  • To report on three cases of neurological involvement as the sole manifestation of Epstein-Barr virus infection.
  • To highlight the importance of considering EBV in acute neurological disorders.
  • To emphasize diagnostic criteria and treatment outcomes.

Summary:

  • Three patients presented with isolated neurological conditions (meningoradiculitis, meningoencephalitis, aseptic meningitis) due to EBV infection.
  • Diagnosis involved lumbar puncture and serological tests (IgM VCA, IgG VCA).
  • All patients achieved complete remission with dexamethasone, glycerol, and acyclovir treatment.

Impact:

  • Recognizing EBV's potential to cause diverse neurological illnesses is critical.
  • Suspecting EBV infection in acute neurological disorders can lead to timely diagnosis and treatment.
  • This study underscores the need for broader consideration of EBV in neurology.

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