Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
09:43

An 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

Epstein-Barr virus infections of the central nervous system

Hiroshi Fujimoto1, Kyoko Asaoka, Toshihiro Imaizumi

  • 1First Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011.

Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|February 14, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause diverse central nervous system (CNS) infections, including encephalitis and ADEM. These infections are categorized into primary/reactivated and chronic EBV types, presenting distinct neurological syndromes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common herpesvirus responsible for infectious mononucleosis (IM), is known to cause various central nervous system (CNS) infections.
  • Understanding the spectrum and characteristics of EBV-related CNS disorders is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical spectrum and outcomes of Epstein-Barr virus-related central nervous system infections.
  • To differentiate between CNS syndromes associated with primary/reactivated EBV infection and those linked to chronic EBV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of adult inpatients diagnosed with CNS syndromes and IM symptoms between 1984-2002.
  • Serological assessment based on established criteria and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in select patients.

Main Results:

  • Ten patients with EBV-related CNS infections were identified, with a mean age of 36 years.
  • Neurological presentations included acute encephalitis, acute cerebellar ataxia, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), myelitis, and meningitis.
  • PCR confirmed EBV in CSF of patients with meningitis, ADEM, and encephalitis; chronic EBV infection was linked to encephalitis and relapsing ADEM.

Conclusions:

  • EBV can cause a variety of CNS infections, broadly classified into those associated with primary/reactivated infection and chronic EBV infection.
  • Primary/reactivated EBV infections can manifest as diverse CNS syndromes, including ADEM.
  • Chronic EBV infections are more commonly associated with chronic or recurrent CNS syndromes.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line09:14

Isolation and Quantification of Epstein-Barr Virus from the P3HR1 Cell Line

Published on: September 28, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral 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...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral 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...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis 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...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis 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...