Diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus-induced central nervous system infections by DNA amplification from cerebrospinal fluid.
A nested polymerase chain reaction was used for the detection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in 1 patient with encephalitis, and in 1 patient with myelitis. Epstein-Barr virus DNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid samples obtained at the onset of neurological symptoms in both patients, and serological findings indicated ongoing Epstein-Barr virus infection. In the patient with encephalitis, herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA was transiently detected in the cerebrospinal fluid, while Epstein-Barr virus DNA was still present on day 44 after admittance. Single-photon emission computed tomography in this patient indicated a frontal bilateral hypoperfusion. The diagnostic value of polymerase chain reaction on cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples for Epstein-Barr virus infections of the central nervous system is emphasized.
Landgren
M
M
Department of Pediatrics II, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Kyllerman
M
M
Bergström
T
T
Dotevall
L
L
Ljungström
L
L
Ricksten
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001483:Base Sequence; D002648:Child; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009187:Myelitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012698:Serologic Tests
D004279:DNA, Viral