A Case of Cytomegalovirus Encephalitis in Cluster of Differentiation Four Cell Counts Greater Than 50

Abstract

Although cytomegalovirus (CMV) encephalitis is a common viral infection, it is rarely reported in immunocompromised patients with cluster of differentiation four (CD4) cell counts greater than 50. Herein, we present a case of CMV encephalitis co-infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patient with a CD4 cell count of 145. In addition, the patient was also infected with syphilis and tuberculosis. This case report will discuss the complications of untangling the differential diagnosis in an immunocompromised host with multiple infections, specifically, how it was difficult to identify the exact etiology of this patient's encephalopathy. We will address the plausible explanations for this unusual presentation, including CD4 dysfunction, latent and re-infections, and synergism seen with the co-infections in HIV patients.