Fatal subacute cytomegalovirus encephalitis associated with hypogammaglobulinemia and thymoma

Abstract

Parathymic syndromes are systemic disorders that occur in association with thymoma. One such parathymic syndrome, hypogammaglobulinemia, was initially identified by Good in 1954 and has been referred to as Good syndrome. Patients with this syndrome develop a variety of recurrent infections due to the associated immunodeficiency. We describe a patient with cytomegalovirus encephalitis associated with Good syndrome and discuss the pathologic findings present on autopsy. The possibility of a cytomegalovirus infection should be considered early in the evaluation of patients with Good syndrome if appropriate clinical symptoms are present.