Epstein-Barr virus and the nervous system

The neurological complications of Epstein-Barr virus infection include vira l meningitis, encephalitis and neuromuscular complications. The introductio n of cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction for Epstein-Barr virus D NA has improved diagnosis of these conditions and of primary central nervou s system lymphoma in acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and has enabled c erebrospinal fluid monitoring of therapy. Prognosis remains good for most E pstein-Barr virus-related neurological complications; for primary central n ervous system lymphoma in acquired immune deficiency syndrome the prognosis is still poor. Curl Opin Neurol 13:301-304 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.