title: Epstein-Barr Virus Encephalitis in an Immunocompetent Child: A Case Report and Management of Epstein-Barr Virus Encephalitis.
abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) usually causes mild, asymptomatic, and self-limited infections in children and adults; however, it may occasionally lead to severe conditions such as neurological diseases, malignant diseases, hepatic failure, and myocarditis. Epstein-Barr virus-related neurological disorders include meningitis, encephalitis, and cranial or peripheral neuritis, which are mostly seen in immunocompromised patients. The therapeutic modalities for EBV-related severe organ damage including central nervous system manifestations are still uncertain. Herein, we describe a seven-year-old boy with EBV encephalitis who presented with prolonged fever, exudative pharyngitis, reduced consciousness, and neck stiffness. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed contrast enhancement in the bilateral insular cortex and the right hypothalamus. The diagnosis was made by EBV-DNA amplification in both the blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples. He was discharged with acyclovir therapy without any sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Marmara University School of Medicine, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gulsen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Akkoc
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Marmara University School of Medicine, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Eda Kepenekli
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Kadayifci
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Marmara University School of Medicine, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karaaslan
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Marmara University School of Medicine, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atici
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Marmara University School of Medicine, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nurhayat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yakut
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Marmara University School of Medicine, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevliya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ocal Demir
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Marmara University School of Medicine, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soysal
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Marmara University School of Medicine, 34890 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakir