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[Fatal acute encephalitis in primary Epstein-Barr virus infection]
P Bétrémieux1, P André, I Casadevall
1Unité de Réanimation Pédiatrique, CHU, Rennes.
Archives Francaises De Pediatrie
|August 1, 1990
Summary
A child experienced a severe Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, leading to encephalitis and death. Acyclovir treatment was ineffective against this aggressive EBV case.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Neurovirology
- Viral pathogenesis
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus.
- Primary EBV infections typically cause infectious mononucleosis.
- Severe complications are rare but can be devastating.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old girl presented with acute mononucleosis-like symptoms.
- The illness rapidly progressed to encephalitis and coma.
- The patient died 27 days after symptom onset.
Findings:
- EBV serology confirmed a primary EBV infection.
- The clinical course was unusually severe and rapidly fatal.
- Acyclovir, an antiviral medication, showed no therapeutic benefit.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for severe, fatal outcomes in primary EBV infections.
- It underscores the need for further research into severe EBV manifestations.
- Current antiviral therapies may be insufficient for aggressive EBV encephalitis.