Epstein-Barr virus-associated meningitis presenting with hearing impairment.

A 42-year-old man presented with fever, headache and liver dysfunction, and was diagnosed as having aseptic meningitis by lumbar puncture. The PCR detected Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA in the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid. About 20 days after onset, the patient presented with hearing impairment in the right ear, which was confirmed by a pure tone audiogram. The hearing acuity improved after the initiation of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate. We presume that the hearing impairment was due to auditory nerve neuritis related to extension of inflammation of the meninges. This is the first reported case of EBV-associated meningitis showing hearing impairment.