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Isolating Central Nervous System Tissues and Associated Meninges for the Downstream Analysis of Immune cells
09:35

Isolating Central Nervous System Tissues and Associated Meninges for the Downstream Analysis of Immune cells

Published on: May 19, 2020

Chronic meningitis and central nervous system vasculopathy related to Epstein Barr virus

Anil Kumar B Patil1, Zeyaur Rahman Azad, Vivek Mathew

  • 1Section of Neurology, Department of Neurological Sciences. Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology
|January 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Chronic active Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection can cause severe neurological issues, including meningitis and vasculopathy. This case highlights a rare presentation in an 11-year-old boy with arterial aneurysms and bone marrow aplasia.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Chronic active Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection presents with diverse manifestations affecting the central nervous system.
  • Neurological complications of EBV can involve meningeal, parenchymal, and vascular structures.

Observation:

  • An 11-year-old boy experienced 18 months of headache, fever, and seizures.
  • Brain MRI revealed fusiform aneurysmal dilatations in both anterior and posterior cerebral circulation.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis, elevated proteins, low sugar, and positive EBV PCR.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic meningitis and central nervous system vasculopathy.
  • He later developed pancytopenia due to bone marrow aplasia, likely linked to EBV-associated X-linked lymphoproliferative disorder.
  • The vasculopathy presented as diffuse fusiform aneurysmal dilatation, a rare but documented complication of chronic EBV.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the rare but severe neurological and hematological complications of chronic active EBV infection.
  • Highlights the importance of considering EBV in pediatric cases of unexplained meningitis, vasculopathy, and bone marrow failure.
  • Emphasizes the need for further research into the pathogenesis and management of EBV-related vasculopathy and lymphoproliferative disorders.
Keywords:
Epstein Barr virusfusiform aneurysmal dilatationslymphoproliferative disordervasculopathy

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