title: Myoclonic seizures as a main manifestation of Epstein-Barr virus infection.
abstract: A 15-year-old girl with clinical and serologic evidence of active Epstein-Barr virus infection presented with a new onset of myoclonic jerks, confirmed on electroencephalogram (EEG) by generalized polyspike-and-wave epileptiform activity. Family history for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy was negative, and brain magnetic resonance imaging was normal. The myoclonic jerks resolved spontaneously after 5 days, with gradual normalization of the EEG during the ensuing month and since then no resumption over the last 2 years. Previous reports have already linked Epstein-Barr virus infection to opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome and hypsarrhythmia, but to the best of our knowledge, this is the first presentation of epileptic myoclonic jerks associated with acute Epstein-Barr virus infection. We suggest that acute myoclonic seizures with a transiently abnormal EEG and benign course can be associated with acute Epstein-Barr virus infection.
authors.affiliation: The Institute for Child Development and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Haim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bassan
authors.forename: Aviva Mimouni
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bloch
authors.forename: Ronit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mesterman
authors.forename: Ayala
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Assia
authors.forename: Shaul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harel
authors.forename: Aviva
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fattal-Valevski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004569:Electroencephalography; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*