Psychiatric symptoms and cognitive dysfunction caused by Epstein-Barr virus-induced encephalitis.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encephalitis is rare and shows a wide range of clinical manifestations. We report an immunocompromised patient with EBV encephalitis diagnosed by EBV-specific PCR and antibody testing in the cerebrospinal fluid who presented with psychiatric symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in the absence of any neurological impairments or infectious signs. Clinical recovery and clearance of cerebrospinal fluid EBV DNA appeared following ganciclovir treatment within 6 weeks.
Behr
Joachim
J
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charite University Medicine Berlin, Campus Charite Mitte, Schumannstr. 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany. joachim.behr@charite.de
Schaefer
Martin
M
Littmann
Eckhard
E
Klingebiel
Randolf
R
Heinz
Andreas
A
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004247:DNA / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D035583:Rare Diseases; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004247:DNA; D015774:Ganciclovir