Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
09:14
Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line
Published on: September 28, 2022
Primary Epstein-Barr virus infection with polyradiculitis: a case report
Tilmann Hottenrott1, Sebastian Rauer, Jochen Bäuerle
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital Freiburg, Breisacher Str. 64, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
BMC Neurology
|July 25, 2013
Summary
Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection can cause rare nervous system issues like polyradiculitis in adults. Early diagnosis and treatment with acyclovir may improve outcomes for EBV-related neurological complications.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, commonly known as infectious mononucleosis, can present with rare but serious neurological complications in adults.
- These complications include encephalitis, meningitis, myelitis, and various neuropathies, though lumbosacral polyradiculitis is particularly uncommon.
Observation:
- A case of a 35-year-old immunocompetent adult with primary EBV infection is presented, who developed lumbosacral polyradiculitis manifesting as severe radicular pain.
- The patient's initial symptoms of infectious mononucleosis were misdiagnosed as streptococcal tonsillitis, delaying appropriate diagnosis and management.
Findings:
- Diagnosis of EBV-associated polyradiculitis was confirmed through serology and PCR analysis of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- The patient experienced a rapid and complete recovery within days following empiric treatment with intravenous acyclovir and analgesics.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering EBV infection in the differential diagnosis of radicular pain syndromes, even in immunocompetent adults.
- While no approved causal therapy exists for EBV, preliminary observations suggest potential benefits of acyclovir in managing neurological complications, warranting further investigation through randomized controlled trials.
More Related Videos
09:43An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Published on: March 30, 2018
08:44Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
Published on: September 7, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:19Encephalitis 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...
01:26Encephalitis 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...
01:18Viral 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...
01:25Arboviral 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...
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...