A Case Report of a Rapidly Progressive Epstein-Barr Virus Encephalitis Infection in an Adult With HIV on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

TL;DR

This case report describes a rare instance of Epstein-Barr virus encephalitis in an HIV-positive adult on antiretroviral therapy who made a full recovery with antiviral treatment.

Contribution

The novelty lies in presenting a rare case of EBV encephalitis in an HIV-positive adult on HAART without prior neurocognitive symptoms.

Findings

EBV encephalitis occurred in an HIV-positive adult on HAART without pre-existing neurocognitive symptoms.

The patient fully recovered after treatment with IV acyclovir and oral valacyclovir.

CSF analysis confirmed EBV DNA via PCR, with no other infections detected.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encephalitis is a rare complication of EBV infection, with most cases described in children. Although some cases of EBV encephalitis have been reported in adults, they have occurred in the presence of other central nervous system infections, superimposed on an underlying neurocognitive disorder, or in immunocompromised states. We present herein a rare case of rapidly progressive EBV encephalitis in an adult male with HIV infection on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with no pre-existing neurocognitive symptoms. A 52-year-old African American man with HIV infection on HAART presented with acute altered mental status and weakness. On admission, he had normal muscle tone and reflexes, with no signs of meningism. Head CT without contrast showed no acute intracranial pathology. Blood and urine cultures were negative. CSF analysis was suggestive of a viral infection. Viral studies were positive only for EBV DNA by PCR in CSF. The patient received IV acyclovir for two weeks, followed by four weeks of oral valacyclovir with full recovery. Clinicians should consider a diagnosis of EBV encephalitis in HIV-positive patients on HAART who present with acute altered mental status. Treatment with antiviral therapy should be considered in patients with EBV encephalitis.

Tables

Table 1. Patient Blood Test ResultsBUN: blood urea nitrogen.

Blood Test	Results	Reference
Sodium, mEq/L	129	135–145
Potassium, mEq/L	3.4	3.5–5.1
BUN, mg/dL	14	7–25
Creatinine, mg/dL	1.42	0.6–1.2
Calcium, mg/dL	9.8	8.5–10.3
Hemoglobin, g/dL	16.3	14.6–17.8
WBC, × 109/L	6.36	3.2–10.6
Neutrophils, %	37	38–80
Lymphocytes, %	46.2	11–49
Monocytes, %	15.1	4–12

Table 2. CSF Analysis Results

CSF Studies	Results	Reference
Glucose, mg/dL	59	40–80
Protein, mg/dL	82	15–45
Lymphocyte, %	92	100
Monocyte, nm%	8	0
Neutrophil, %	0	0
RBC, cells/mm3	19	0–20
WBC, cells/mm3	100	0–5

Full text

Introduction

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a DNA lymphotropic herpesvirus that is highly prevalent and infects about 90% of the human population worldwide [1-3]. Primary infection with the virus is usually asymptomatic and progresses to latency in healthy individuals [3,4]. In some cases, EBV infection manifests acutely as Infectious Mononucleosis (IM) in adolescents, characterized by pharyngitis, cervical lymphadenopathy, fever, and fatigue [5]. Rarely, it may present with neurological manifestations like encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, transverse myelitis, acute cerebellar ataxia, and acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis [6-9].

EBV has also been noted in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with an unknown significance, but the diagnosis of EBV encephalitis can be made when viral encephalitis is clinically suspected with evidence of EBV in CSF in the absence of other causative agents [10]. The pathophysiology of these neurological manifestations is unclear, but there have been theories of neuronal infiltration by CD8-positive cells and antigen-antibody complex deposition leading to endothelial damage and tissue injury [11].

While there have been a few reports of primary EBV infection presenting with neurological signs in children, this is uncommon [6,12]. Although some cases of EBV encephalitis have been reported in adults, these have occurred during coinfections with other central nervous system infections, superimposed on an underlying neurocognitive disorder, or in immunocompromised states [13-17]. Acyclovir treatment for patients diagnosed with EBV encephalitis is not recommended [18]. This recommendation is a category C-III, i.e., based on poor evidence, opinions of authorities, descriptive studies, and expert committee reports [18].

We present a case of EBV encephalitis in an adult male, who responded significantly to acyclovir treatment given at diagnosis.

Case presentation

The patient, a 52-year-old African American man with HIV disease on HAART, was admitted with altered mental status (AMS) and weakness for three days' duration following a visit to his primary care physician’s office. He reported a three-week history of confusion and forgetfulness, having missed two days from work prior to presentation. These symptoms were preceded by several episodes of disorientation during his work commute. The patient reported a steady loss of weight over the previous 10 months despite compliance with his HAART medications.

He was diagnosed with HIV infection about 20 years prior and had a good response to treatment over the years. Other coexisting conditions included syphilis and hepatitis C, both successfully treated in the past. He had never been previously tested for EBV.

One year prior to presentation, he experienced a drop in his CD4 count owing to medication noncompliance due to insurance issues. However, his CD4 count was never recorded below 200 before admission. Approximately four months prior to his presenting illness, he had already resumed treatment with darunavir/cobicistat and emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide. His most recent CD4 count (four months prior to admission) was 383 x 10^9^/L, and HIV RNA was 40 copies/mL.

On admission, he was lethargic and dehydrated with orthostatic hypotension. He was disoriented to time and place. His tone and reflexes were normal, without meningism. His blood test results are shown in Table 1.

His urine toxicology screen was negative, HIV RNA was 2030 copies/mL, and CD4 count was 187 x 10^9 ^cells/L. His blood and urine cultures were negative. CT chest showed right lower lobe pneumonia. Head CT without contrast showed no acute intracranial pathology.

He was started on IV piperacillin-tazobactam and vancomycin. He was rehydrated, and electrolyte abnormalities were corrected. However, by day four, he had become more confused and unable to walk. He developed an intention tremor and spiked a fever of 102°F (38.9°C) despite receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics. MRI brain with and without contrast was unremarkable for any acute intracranial pathology.

A lumbar puncture was done, and the patient was started empirically on IV penicillin G for possible neurosyphilis after serum RPR returned positive. As his mental status continued to worsen, IV acyclovir was initiated three days after starting penicillin G.

CSF analysis was suggestive of a viral infection (Table 2), and viral studies were positive only for EBV DNA by PCR in CSF (negative for cytomegalovirus, JC virus, West Nile virus, BK virus, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2). Cryptococcal antigen as well as culture for Cryptococcus were negative. Serum antibodies for West Nile virus, BK virus, and HSV 1 and 2 were also negative. Serum RPR was reactive at 1:1. Serum FTA-ABS was also reactive, as was the CSF VDRL. The patient became afebrile and started to improve after the initiation of acyclovir. A decision was therefore made to continue IV acyclovir for possible EBV encephalitis.

After four days of acyclovir treatment, the patient experienced improvement in his memory as well as the intention tremor. He was able to walk by day seven of treatment. He was restarted on antiretroviral therapy and discharged to a subacute rehab facility. He completed an additional two weeks of IV acyclovir followed by four weeks of oral valacyclovir treatment with full recovery.

Discussion

While ubiquitous, EBV is not commonly the sole culprit in symptomatic encephalitis; it is often found in association with other CNS infections or diseases such as malignant tumors [19,20]. This may be the basis of the IDSA’s recommendation against antiviral therapy when EBV DNA is found in CSF [18]. Our patient, however, was diagnosed after CSF exam came back positive for EBV DNA in the presence of AMS, intention tremor, and gait abnormalities. Similar symptoms were described by Zarlasht et al. in a case report of a Hispanic male who presented with paranoid behavior, complete loss of memory, generalized weakness, and urine incontinence and was diagnosed with EBV encephalitis [21]. Unlike that case, our patient had a positive CSF VDRL test which was deemed noncontributory to his presentation as he already had a history of syphilis that was adequately treated.

Findings of paraventricular lucencies and hyperintense lesions in multiple areas of the brain, including the basal ganglia, have been described on neuroimaging studies in patients with EBV encephalitis; however, there may be normal findings also, as was seen in our case [6,20,21].

Symptomatic management has been the mainstay in the treatment of EBV encephalitis, and most patients recover without any long-term sequelae [7]. However, rapidly progressive disease has been described, especially with significant immunosuppression [17]. Our patient started improving with IV acyclovir treatment and was back to his baseline mental status by day seven of treatment. Similar improvement was also described by Zarlasht et al. upon initiation of acyclovir [9,21]. Other etiologies (e.g., HIV encephalopathy or opportunistic infections) seem unlikely, given the acute presentation and rapid response to acyclovir. Given the patient’s clinical picture, CSF findings, and response to treatment, it is considered reasonable to attribute our patient’s neurologic symptoms to encephalitis caused by EBV infection.

Unlike opportunistic infections, EBV antigen levels do not correlate with the degree of immunosuppression, and levels were found to be highest among HIV-infected persons with CD4 counts between 100 and 400 [15]. Our patient fell within this category with a CD4 count of 187.

There is no recommended treatment for EBV encephalitis, and some patients have recovered spontaneously without treatment [7,18]. However, another study has shown that EBV encephalitis may be rapidly progressive, as seen in our patient, and can sometimes be fatal [17,22]. Clinicians should therefore consider EBV as an etiologic agent in HIV-positive patients on HAART who present with acute AMS. Management with antivirals early on may shorten their hospital course and prevent mortality.

Conclusions

EBV encephalitis is more significant than has traditionally been described. Considering the currently available literature on the topic, a positive CSF EBV PCR test should not be overlooked, particularly in the setting of HIV, regardless of CD4 count. Prompt initiation of antiviral therapy such as acyclovir could be lifesaving in rapidly progressive EBV encephalitis. Since it may be difficult to determine who will go on to full recovery versus rapid deterioration, upon finding EBV in the CSF, in the appropriate clinical setting, it should be considered a possible causative agent rather than an innocent bystander.