Epstein-Barr virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid of an HIV patient with primary cerebral lymphoma.
The case of a 7-month-old boy with vertically acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and multifocal primary cerebral lymphoma is reported. Neither neurological nor neuroradiological findings contributed towards the appropriate diagnosis. Positive Epstein-Barr virus DNA, assessed by means of polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid, strongly suggested a diagnosis of primary cerebral lymphoma, which was subsequently confirmed by autopsy.


CONCLUSIONS
The detection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA using the polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid is useful for the diagnosis of primary cerebral lymphoma.
Plebani
A
A
Department of Paediatrics, G. e D. De Marchi, University of Milan, Italy.
Pinzani
R
R
Vago
L
L
Cinque
P
P
Triulzi
F
F
Zibordi
F
F
Angelini
L
L
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D004279:DNA, Viral