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- Title
'A kiss that took my legs away': a rare presentation of Epstein--Barr virus in the older population.
- Authors
Mahmood, Hussain; Kiani, Marwah; Madani, Yasser
- Abstract
We present the case of a 70-year-old woman presenting with nausea, diarrhoea and a generalised rash. Initial blood tests revealed obstructive deranged liver function tests and low haemoglobin. A haemolysis screen revealed raised reticulocytes, low haptoglobin and a positive direct antiglobulin test. 6 days into her admission, she developed lower limb weakness and loss of sensation. MRI spine showed no significant findings. Cerebrospinal fluid showed raised white blood cell count and raised protein. Nerve conduction studies were normal. The clinical picture was in keeping with transverse myelitis. Autoimmune and viral screens were negative except for a single result which provided the unifying diagnosis: Epstein--Barr virus (EBV). She responded to high dose intravenous corticosteroids and her rehabilitation is ongoing. EBV should be considered even in the older population.
- Subjects
CEREBROSPINAL fluid examination; RETICULOCYTES; BLOOD proteins; ADRENOCORTICAL hormones; INTRAVENOUS therapy; HEMOLYSIS &; hemolysins; MONONUCLEOSIS; LEUKOCYTE count; GLOBULINS; EPSTEIN-Barr virus diseases; AUTOIMMUNE hemolytic anemia; OLD age
- Publication
Clinical Medicine, 2023, Vol 23, Issue 6, p621
- ISSN
1470-2118
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.7861/clinmed.2023-0415