title: Herpes simplex encephalitis--an atypical case.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common cause of viral encephalitis. Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) typically presents with acute neurologic changes and the initial cerebrospinal fluid examination is nearly always abnormal. We report a case of a patient with HSE and normal initial CSF analysis. This resulted in delayed diagnosis and therapy with subsequent severe neurolgical sequelae. Herpes simplex infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of encephalopathic patients and a normal CSF examination.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. behzadr@hotmail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Razavi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Razavi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral