Cranial neuropathy, polyneuropathy and thrombocytopenia with Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Neurological involvement is an uncommon complication of Epstein-Barr virus infection, and the long incubation period may complicate the diagnosis. A 15-year-old boy is described with Epstein-Barr virus infection complicated by prolonged life-threatening thrombocytopenia, cranial neuropathy and peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy. The abnormal platelet count was unresponsive to multiple-drug therapy and splenectomy, but normalized 13 months after presentation. Neurological recovery was slow; the patient continues to have a mild peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy three years after the onset of the illness. Infection with Epstein-Barr virus should be considered in patients with acute neurological problems associated with thrombocytopenia. Measurement of antibodies to individual Epstein-Barr virus proteins facilitates the diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Connolly
M
M
Department of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Junker
A K
AK
Chan
K W
KW
Farrell
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000821:virology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral