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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
04:23
A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
Published on: April 28, 2019
Acute encephalomyelitis associated with acute viral hepatitis type B
Keiko Kinomoto1, Yoshinobu Okamoto, Yuichiro Yuchi
1The Second Department of Internal Medicine (Neurology Division), Faculty of Medical Science, University of Fukui, Japan.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|February 17, 2009
Summary
A woman developed acute encephalomyelitis following hepatitis B infection. High-dose methylprednisolone treatment led to significant clinical improvement, suggesting a link between viral hepatitis B and neurological complications.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can present with extrahepatic manifestations.
- Neurological complications are rare but serious sequelae of acute viral hepatitis B.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old woman presented with malaise and nausea, later developing urinary dysfunction, myoclonus, and tremor.
- She subsequently experienced ataxia and altered consciousness, with cerebrospinal fluid showing pleocytosis and elevated protein.
- Laboratory tests confirmed acute viral hepatitis B (positive HBs-Ag, elevated IgM HBc-Ab).
Findings:
- The patient's neurological symptoms mimicked acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM).
- Brain and spinal cord MRI scans were unremarkable.
- Treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone resulted in marked clinical and cerebrospinal fluid improvement.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential association between acute viral hepatitis B and the development of encephalomyelitis.
- Early recognition and treatment of neurological complications may improve patient outcomes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathogenesis of HBV-associated neurological disorders.
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