Coxsackie virus B 4 encephalitis in a 7 year old boy.

BACKGROUND: Enteroviruse belongs to the family of picornaviruses. They can be devided in 4 groups: polioviruses (Typ 1-3) enteric cythopathogenic human orphan (ECHO)- viruses, unclassified enteroviruses 68-71 and coxsackie viruses. Coxsackie virus type B can cause pharyngitis, myalgia, myocarditis and meningitis as well as severe neonatal infections. CASE REPORT: We report a patient with coxsackie type B 4 encephalitis. A 7 year old boy had 2 episodes of mental dizziness and consciousness disturbance. Because of he presented a visus of 70 %, headaches and vomiting he was admitted to our hospital. In the cerebrospinal fluid a coxsackie virus type B 4 could be identified. With nonspecific therapy the boy recovered. CONCLUSION: We concluded that coxsackie virus B 4 caused acute encephalitis with ophthalmological and mental symptoms and good prognosis. Coxsackie virus B 4 should be considered in patients with encephalitis.