A 2-Year-Old Boy Is Brought to the Emergency Department by His

A 2-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his mother 1 hour following a seizure which stopped spontaneously after 1 minute. He was sleepy initially but is now awake and alert. His mother reports that he has had a fever and runny nose for the past 3 days. His temperature is 40.1°C (104.2°F) . Physical examination shows no abnormalities. Analysis of his cerebrospinal fluid shows 3 cells/mm3, a glucose concentration of 68 mg/dL, and a protein concentration of 35 mg/dL. Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of this patient's seizure?

A) Hyperthermia-induced diffuse neuronal dysfunction
B) Microbial invasion of the meningeal layers
C) Neuronal injury from cross-reacting antiviral antibodies
D) Severe neuronal loss and gliosis in the hippocampus
E) Synchronized discharge of thalamocortical tracts

Correct Answer:

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