Dual infections of the central nervous system with Epstein-Barr virus

J Infect Dis. 2005 Jan 15;191(2):234-7. doi: 10.1086/426402. Epub 2004 Dec 10.

Abstract

We describe clinical and laboratory characteristics of 16 patients with central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and another pathogen. Seven of 10 immunocompromised patients had coinfection with viruses (3 with cytomegalovirus, 2 with JC virus, and 2 with varicella zoster virus) and 3 with nonviral pathogens (2 with pneumococcus and 1 with Cryptococcus species). Three of 6 immunocompetent patients had coinfections with viruses (1 each with herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, and West Nile virus), and 3 had coinfections with nonviral pathogens (2 with Ehrlichia chaffeensis and 1 with Mycoplasma pneumoniae). The EBV load was similar in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients and in patients with viral and nonviral coinfections. EBV lytic-cycle mRNA was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of 5 of 6 tested samples, indicating EBV replication in the CNS during coinfection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Central Nervous System Viral Diseases / virology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / blood
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / diagnosis
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology*
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Messenger / cerebrospinal fluid
  • RNA, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Viral