Fatal Epstein-Barr virus encephalitis in a 12-year-old child: an underappreciated neurological complication?
BACKGROUND
A 12-year-old boy presented to a community hospital with fever, malaise and fatigue. A polymerase chain reaction test of the cerebrospinal fluid was positive for Epstein-Barr virus. Despite intensive care treatment and antiviral drugs, the patient died 1 month after his initial presentation.


METHODS
Physical examination, polymerase chain reaction analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid, brain MRI, immunohistochemistry and molecular biological investigations of postmortem brain samples.


METHODS
Epstein-Barr Virus encephalitis.


RESULTS
Aciclovir, intensive care treatment with intubation, sedation, antiepileptic drugs.
Biebl
Ariane
A
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Linz, Austria. ariane.biebl@gespag.at
Webersinke
Christine
C
Traxler
Bernadette
B
Povysil
Brigitte
B
Furthner
Dieter
D
Schmitt
Klaus
K
Weis
Serge
S
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D003422:Critical Care; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir