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Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology
Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology 4/2020

01-12-2020 | Mononucleosis | Images in Forensics

Fatal Epstein-Barr virus infection in an immunocompetent host: a postmortem diagnosis

Authors: Aniello Maiese, Raffaele La Russa, Giovanna Passaro, Paola Santoro, Alessandra De Matteis, Vittorio Fineschi

Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology | Issue 4/2020

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Abstract

Meningoencephalitis is the most common neurological complication related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and in immunocompetent adults, it is most commonly self-limited. We describe a case of fatal EBV infection characterized by meningoencephalitis, foci of myocarditis and interstitial nephritis in an immunocompetent 74-year-old man. The postmortem diagnosis was made based on the presence of EBV DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid and by immunohistochemical assay that showed spots of intracellular positivity to anti-EBV antibody in brain tissue.
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Metadata
Title
Fatal Epstein-Barr virus infection in an immunocompetent host: a postmortem diagnosis
Authors
Aniello Maiese
Raffaele La Russa
Giovanna Passaro
Paola Santoro
Alessandra De Matteis
Vittorio Fineschi
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 1547-769X
Electronic ISSN: 1556-2891
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-020-00254-z

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