Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

Severe post-EBV encephalopathy associated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific immune response

Samantha Jilek1, Jens Kuhle, Pascal Meylan

  • 1Divisions of Immunology and Allergy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Rue du Bugnon, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Journal of Neuroimmunology
|November 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection can trigger central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity. This case study reveals a reversible encephalopathy linked to a MOG-specific immune response, not direct EBV infection.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Central nervous system (CNS) disorders following Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections lack clear mechanistic understanding.
  • Investigating the link between EBV and neurological sequelae is crucial for understanding CNS autoimmunity.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with severe, yet reversible, encephalopathy after infectious mononucleosis.
  • No EBV DNA or EBV-specific antibodies were detected in the patient's blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Findings:

  • A significant MOG-specific (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein) cellular and humoral immune response was identified.
  • The MOG-specific cellular immune response diminished as the patient's clinical condition improved.

Implications:

  • Acute EBV infection can initiate CNS autoimmunity without overt viral presence.
  • This suggests EBV may act as a trigger for autoimmune responses targeting CNS myelin.

More Related Videos

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG35-55) Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 Mice08:03

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG35-55) Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 Mice

Published on: April 15, 2014

Quantification of Autoreactive Antibodies in Mice upon Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis05:55

Quantification of Autoreactive Antibodies in Mice upon Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: December 1, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...