Purpose: Central nervous system (CNS)-T cell lymphoproliferative disorder (T-LPD) developing during the course of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) infection is reported.
Patients and methods: CAEBV was diagnosed in a 14-month-old boy with fever, cytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, and abnormal high titers of anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies. At 8 years of age, he had a splenectomy because of progressive disease.
Results: After 27 months of clinical remission, muscle weakness and paresthesia developed. Magnetic resonance imaging of his brain showed spotty T2 prolongation in left parietal, bilateral frontal, and temporal white matter with meningeal enhancement. Brain biopsy revealed the cerebral infiltration of CD3+, CD4+, CD8-, CD45RO+, CD56-, and EBV-encoded RNA 1+ cells.
Conclusions: The CNS involvement of EBV-associated T-LPD is a rare but serious complication in CAEBV without known underlying immunodeficiency.