Cytomegalovirus-associated transverse myelitis in a non-immunocompromised patient.
METHODS
Single case report.


OBJECTIVE
To report a rare case of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated transverse myelitis (TM) in the immunocompetent host.


METHODS
Collaboration between a Neurology and Radiology University Department in Greece and a Molecular Virology Department in Cyprus.


METHODS
A 16-year-old male student developed an acute febrile illness followed shortly by TM, that resulted in paraplegia over 24 h. Rapid clinical improvement was followed by complete recovery in 2 months. Extensive laboratory work-up excluded other possible causes of TM and showed no evidence of an immunocompromised state. Antiviral serological data, identification of the viral genome by polymerase chain reaction and serial spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging findings, supported the diagnosis of CMV-associated TM in a non-immunocompromised patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Our case further indicates that CMV infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of TM of uncertain etiology, in the immunocompetent patient. Clinical, immunological and neuroimaging findings indicate that post-infectious immune mediated inflammation, seems the most probable pathogenetic mechanism in this case.
Karacostas
D
D
B' Department of Neurology, AHEPA Hospital, Aristoteleian University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Christodoulou
C
C
Drevelengas
A
A
Paschalidou
M
M
Ioannides
P
P
Constantinou
A
A
Milonas
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009187:Myelitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral