Pediatric cerebral stroke induced by Epstein-Barr virus infection: Role of Interelukin overexpression

Antonio Gatto; Serenella Angelici; Marzia Soligo; Daniela  Di Giuda; Luigi Manni; Antonietta Curatola; Serena Ferretti; Antonio Chiaretti

doi:10.23750/abm.v92iS1.10204

Pediatric cerebral stroke induced by Epstein-Barr virus infection: Role of Interelukin overexpression

Authors

Antonio Gatto Institute of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Serenella Angelici Institute of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS - Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Marzia Soligo Institute of Translational Pharmacology CNR, Rome, Italy
Daniela Di Giuda Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS - Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Luigi Manni Institute of Translational Pharmacology CNR, Rome, Italy
Antonietta Curatola Institute of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS - Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Serena Ferretti Institute of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS - Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Antonio Chiaretti Institute of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS - Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v92iS1.10204

Keywords:

Epstein-Barr virus, Children, Interleukins, Cerebral stroke, Persoanlized medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Ischemic stroke is an important cause of death and long-term morbidity in children. Viral respiratory infections are emerging as important risk factors for ischemic stroke in this age group of patients. Direct action of virus against cerebral vessels, autoimmune reactivity, and an increased production of cytokines have all been advocated as main factors in determining ischemic stroke. Case report: We report the case of an EBV-induced ischemic stroke in a caucasian 2 year-old female. The cerebrospinal fluid samples showed positivity of polymerase chain reaction for EBV infection, also confirmed by pharyngeal swab culture. Increased levels of interleukin 6 and interleukin 1b were also detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. Discussion: EBV infection has been identified as an important cause of neurological involvement in children. Findings of increased levels of interleukin 6 and interleukin 1b in the cerebrospinal fluid of the child with EBV induced-ischemic stroke seems to validate the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines as crucial mediators of cerebral thrombus formation. Conclusions: We believe that this report can be useful to clarify some pathophysiological mechanisms related to ischemic stroke related to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection in children.

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