Severe post-EBV encephalopathy associated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific immune response

J Neuroimmunol. 2007 Dec;192(1-2):192-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2007.09.023. Epub 2007 Nov 5.

Abstract

The mechanisms leading to CNS disorders after EBV infections are unclear. We report the case of a patient who developed a severe, but reversible, encephalopathy following an infectious mononucleosis. We detected no EBV DNA in the blood or in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and no EBV-specific antibodies in the CSF. However, we found a potent MOG-specific cellular and humoral immune response. Interestingly, MOG-specific cellular immune response rapidly decreased, paralleling the improvement of clinical condition. In conclusion, this detailed study shows that acute EBV infection can trigger a potent auto-inflammatory response in the CNS, without evidence of an overt infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies / metabolism*
  • Brain Diseases / blood
  • Brain Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Brain Diseases / immunology*
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Disease Progression
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / blood
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Male
  • Myelin Basic Protein / metabolism
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / immunology*
  • Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • MOG protein, human
  • Myelin Basic Protein
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
  • Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
  • Interferon-gamma