Dress syndrome associated autoimmune limbic encephalitis with epstein–barr virus reactivation

Abstract

Introduction: Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe drug hypersensitivity reaction characterized by rash, fever and multi-organ failure. The most frequent causative drugs are the antiepileptics and antimicrobials. Recent studies demonstrated that some viruses can be reactivated during the course of this syndrome. Limbic encephalitis is a rare disorder characterized by cognitive dysfunction with severe memory disturbance, seizures, and psychiatric symptoms. We present a case of DRESS syndrome with reactivation of EBV who developed autoimmune limbic encephalitis.