Epstein-Barr virus infection presenting as encephalitis in HIV—Phenomenon not seen frequently

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection can rarely present as encephalitis in HIV patients. We report a case of a 22-year-old female patient, diagnosed to have HIV infection 8 years back. She presented with headache and altered behavior for a week and focal fits for 2 days. Neurological examination was unremarkable. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis with raised protein. EBV was detected in CSF using polymerase chain reaction test. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensities involving the left frontal cortex, left thalamus, and right medial temporal cortex. The patient was started on antiviral therapy considering the diagnosis of EBV encephalitis. The patient completely recovered over the next few weeks.