Enteroviral Encephalitis in a Child With CNS Relapse of Burkitt Leukemia Treated With Rituximab

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Murine Model of Leukemia Relapse to Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
08:31

Murine Model of Leukemia Relapse to Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Published on: October 17, 2025

721

Najma Shaheen1, Francis Mussai

  • 1Birmingham Children's Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
|January 10, 2018
PubMed

Insights

A child with Burkitt leukemia developed enteroviral encephalitis during rituximab treatment. This B-cell depleting therapy can increase infection risk, highlighting the need for vigilance.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Central nervous system (CNS) relapse of Burkitt leukemia presents significant treatment challenges.
  • Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting CD20, is used in lymphoma treatment but can cause B-cell depletion.
  • B-cell deficiency is a known risk factor for various opportunistic infections.

Observation:

  • A pediatric patient with CNS Burkitt leukemia relapse developed fever, neurological symptoms, and cognitive impairment.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed enterovirus (EV) via polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were indicative of a viral infection.

Findings:

  • Enterovirus (EV) encephalitis was diagnosed in a child undergoing chemotherapy for Burkitt leukemia.
  • The patient had received multi-drug chemotherapy, including rituximab, prior to symptom onset.
  • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment led to EV clearance within one month.

Implications:

  • This case represents the first report of enteroviral encephalitis in a child treated for lymphoma with rituximab.
  • Rituximab-induced B-cell deficiency may predispose patients to severe infections like EV encephalitis.
  • Clinicians should consider EV encephalitis as a potential complication in immunocompromised pediatric patients, particularly those on B-cell depleting therapies.

More Related Videos

Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure07:56

Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure

Published on: September 19, 2019

10.8K
Assessment of the Metabolic Profile of Primary Leukemia Cells06:21

Assessment of the Metabolic Profile of Primary Leukemia Cells

Published on: November 21, 2018

11.0K

Related Concept Videos

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
1.3K
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
1.4K
CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents01:22

CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents

Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
854
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids01:24

CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids

CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its...
939
Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy01:16

Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy

Helicobacter pylori, a resilient gram-negative bacterium, can thrive in the stomach's harsh, acidic environment. Infection with H. pylori leads to a cascade of events within the stomach lining. One of the critical disruptions caused by this bacterium is the interference with somatostatin production, a hormone responsible for regulating acid secretion. This interference tips the balance, escalating acid secretion and diminishing bicarbonate levels. This imbalance compromises the defensive...
1.4K
What is a Nervous System?01:25

What is a Nervous System?

Overview
105.4K