title: Case report: transverse myelitis associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection.
abstract: Transverse myelitis is a rare complication of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This article describes a case of a previously healthy patient with a subacute transverse myelopathy. The cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytic pleocytosis and protein elevation. A magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrated abnormal spinal cord signal intensity over several cervical and thoracic segments, suggesting the diagnosis of transverse myelitis. The patient was treated with high-dose corticosteroids and had a rapid improvement. Serologic studies for other viruses were negative; antibody tests indicated acute EBV infection. It is thought this represents a case of transverse myelitis associated with acute EBV infection. Although a few similar patients have been reported previously, this case is the first where EBV serology suggested the etiology at the time of diagnosis, when EBV antibody titers and polymerase-chain reaction for EBV DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid were performed, and when a magnetic resonance imaging scan was used for diagnosis and follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas 75235-8859.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caldas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bernicker
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Nogare
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Luby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000209:etiology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral