Psychiatric symptoms and cognitive dysfunction caused by Epstein-Barr virus-induced encephalitis

Eur Psychiatry. 2006 Dec;21(8):521-2. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2005.02.008.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cognition Disorders / drug therapy
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology*
  • DNA / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Encephalitis, Viral / complications*
  • Encephalitis, Viral / drug therapy
  • Encephalitis, Viral / psychology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / drug therapy
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / psychology*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Ganciclovir / administration & dosage
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Parenteral / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Rare Diseases
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA
  • Ganciclovir