A case report of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy combined with Epstein-Barr virus infection.

BACKGROUND

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluations, treatment, and prognosis of a 36-year-old male patient diagnosed with autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (GFAP-A) in conjunction with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection at our institution. Reports of GFAP-A associated with viral infections are infrequent.

CASE PRESENTATION: The patient exhibited a range of symptoms, including fever, gait instability resembling ataxia, a sensation akin to stepping on cotton, diminished responsiveness, cognitive decline, urinary and bowel dysfunction, and persistent hiccups. Enhanced imaging of the thoracic spine revealed patchy meningeal enhancement, with central canal-like enhancement observed in coronal views. Additionally, radiating perivascular linear enhancement was noted in the ventricular white matter, cerebellum, and other regions, alongside the aforementioned central canal-like enhancement. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) confirmed the presence of human herpesvirus type 4 (EBV). Both cell-based assay (CBA) and tissue-based assay (TBA) tests validated the presence of GFAP antibodies in the CSF. Following treatment with acyclovir for antiviral therapy and high-dose corticosteroid therapy, the patient demonstrated significant clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

It is postulated that the viral infection may have precipitated autoimmune meningoencephalitis. Providing more related cases for the diagnosis of this disease.