Stealth viral encephalopathy: report of a fatal case complicated by cerebral vasculitis.
A patient presenting with a severe subacute encephalopathy was shown to be infected with a stealth virus. Although the patient partially recovered, he remained lethargic with cognitive impairment and worsening headaches. Ten months after the onset of his illness, his clinical condition further deteriorated with seizures, coma and death. A brain biopsy revealed vacuolated degenerate neural cells consistent with a stealth viral encephalopathy. Focal perivascular lymphocytic inflammation was present within the leptomeninges and to a lesser extent within the parenchyma of the brain. Vasculitis may occasionally contribute to the complex symptomatology of stealth viral encephalopathy.
Center for Complex Infectious Diseases, Rosemead, CA 91770, USA.
W J
WJ
Martin
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops / Q000821:virology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008578:Meninges / Q000098:blood supply; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology
D017931:DNA Primers