Barr humbug: acute cerebellar ataxia due to Epstein-Barr virus

Benjamin Davies; Nicholas Machin; Timothy Lavin; Mian Ayaz Ul Haq

doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-215303

Barr humbug: acute cerebellar ataxia due to Epstein-Barr virus

Benjamin Davies^*, Nicholas Machin, Timothy Lavin, Mian Ayaz Ul Haq

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with neurological sequellae, but rarely there is acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA) in an adult. We present a novel case of a 26-year-old man, who presented with ACA. He had normal MRI and CSF analysis. Serum testing confirmed active EBV. A course of oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg for 4 weeks, with a subsequent taper was started. He made a full recovery within 3 weeks of presentation.

Original language	English
Article number	bcr2016215303
Journal	BMJ Case Reports
Volume	2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2016-215303
Publication status	Published - 28 Sept 2025
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

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10.1136/bcr-2016-215303

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title = "Barr humbug: acute cerebellar ataxia due to Epstein-Barr virus",

abstract = "Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with neurological sequellae, but rarely there is acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA) in an adult. We present a novel case of a 26-year-old man, who presented with ACA. He had normal MRI and CSF analysis. Serum testing confirmed active EBV. A course of oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg for 4 weeks, with a subsequent taper was started. He made a full recovery within 3 weeks of presentation.",

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AU - Lavin, Timothy

AU - Ul Haq, Mian Ayaz

PY - 2025/9/28

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N2 - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with neurological sequellae, but rarely there is acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA) in an adult. We present a novel case of a 26-year-old man, who presented with ACA. He had normal MRI and CSF analysis. Serum testing confirmed active EBV. A course of oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg for 4 weeks, with a subsequent taper was started. He made a full recovery within 3 weeks of presentation.

AB - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with neurological sequellae, but rarely there is acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA) in an adult. We present a novel case of a 26-year-old man, who presented with ACA. He had normal MRI and CSF analysis. Serum testing confirmed active EBV. A course of oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg for 4 weeks, with a subsequent taper was started. He made a full recovery within 3 weeks of presentation.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85013829443

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DO - 10.1136/bcr-2016-215303

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JO - BMJ Case Reports

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ER -

Barr humbug: acute cerebellar ataxia due to Epstein-Barr virus

Abstract

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