Poliomyelitis-like syndrome associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection

A 20-month-old male presented with an acute clinical syndrome resembling poliomyelitis, characterized by a flaccid monoplegia, areflexia of the involved limb, and preserved sensation. Electrophysiologic studies supported a neuronopathic localization involving the anterior horn cells. Although laboratory evidence for a poliovirus infection was absent, serologic and polymerase chain reaction studies documented an active central nervous system infection with Epstein-Barr virus, indicating that a poliomyelitis-like syndrome may be produced by infectious agents other than enteroviruses.