Epstein-Barr virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid of an HIV patient with primary cerebral lymphoma.

<bold>Unlabelled: </bold>The case of a 7-month-old boy with vertically acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and multifocal primary cerebral lymphoma is reported. Neither neurological nor neuroradiological findings contributed towards the appropriate diagnosis. Positive Epstein-Barr virus DNA, assessed by means of polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid, strongly suggested a diagnosis of primary cerebral lymphoma, which was subsequently confirmed by autopsy.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>The detection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA using the polymerase chain reaction in cerebrospinal fluid is useful for the diagnosis of primary cerebral lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]