Cytomegalovirus encephalitis associated with episodic neurologic deficits and OKT-8+ pleocytosis

• Published in: Neurology Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 149 - 152
• Main Authors: RICHERT, J. R, POTOLICCHIO, S. JR, GARAGUSI, V. F, MANZ, H. J, COHAN, S. L, HARTMANN, D. P, JOHNSON, R. T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 1987
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cytomegalovirus Infections - cerebrospinal fluid; Cytomegalovirus Infections - physiopathology; Electroencephalography; Encephalitis - cerebrospinal fluid; Encephalitis - drug therapy; Encephalitis - physiopathology; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Lymphocytosis - etiology; Male; Medical sciences; Oxygen - therapeutic use; Propranolol - therapeutic use; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the nervous system; Human; Cytomegalovirus; Headache; Encephalitis; Nervous system diseases; Herpesviridae; Deficiency; Nervous system; Cerebrospinal fluid; Cell subpopulation; Virus; Immunology; Aphasia; Sensory disorder; β-Herpesvirinae; Pleiocytosis; T»-Lymphocyte; Lymphocytosis
• ISSN: 0028-3878; 1526-632X
• DOI: 10.1212/wnl.37.1.149

After 3 days of symptoms suggesting a viral illness, a 35-year-old man experienced three episodes of aphasia, right-sided sensory symptoms, and bifrontal headache. Each lasted several hours. CSF examination revealed a moderate lymphocytosis consisting of 80% OKT-8+ cells. Serum anti-cytomegalovirus (anti-CMV) antibody titer was elevated at 1:1,024 and subsequently fell to 1:64. Episodic symptoms recurred 5 months later, at which time the anti-CMV titer peaked at 1:8,192. A trial of inhaled oxygen aborted two episodes after several minutes each.