title: Retrobulbar neuritis complicating acute Epstein-Barr virus infection.
abstract: A 19-year-old man presented with retrobulbar neuritis and was initially suspected to have neurosyphilis because of a positive microhemagglutination assay for Treponema pallidum (MHA-TP). However, a Venereal Disease Research Laboratory assay was negative, and the patient was subsequently diagnosed with infection due to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by heterophile antibody assay and serology for EBV. A biological false-positive MHA-TP has been reported in association with EBV infection. Physicians need to be aware that both retrobulbar neuritis and a biological false-positive MHA-TP can be seen in association with EBV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile / Q000097:blood*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D002308:Cardiolipins / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000097:blood; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis
chemical_list: D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D002308:Cardiolipins; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; C054448:VDRL antigen; D002784:Cholesterol