title: Encephalitis or encephalopathy during an influenza-A epidemic.
abstract: Six female patients with encephalitis, mean age 36.5 (17-60) years, were admitted to the hospital during the 2000-2001 influenza A (H1N1) epidemic in the Osijek--Baranja County. In three (50.0%) patients, the manifestation of encephalitis occurred on day 4 or 5, and in two (33.3%) patients within 24-48 hours of the onset of influenza symptoms. The disease manifestations included headache, elevated body temperature, generalized fatigue, and consciousness disturbance through coma. Three (50.0%) patients had grand mal seizures. Pathologic electroencephalography findings were recorded in all six (100%) patients, whereas computed tomography showed cerebral edema in three (50.0%) patients. Elevated levels of hepatic enzymes and peripheral blood leukopenia were found in two (33.3%) patients in whom encephalitis developed early upon the onset of influenza. One (16.6%) of these patients died, whereas permanent sequels remained in the other two (33.3%) patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Soldo
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duvnjak
authors.forename: Dubravka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lisnjić
authors.forename: Jasna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Timarac
authors.forename: Ljiljana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perić
authors.forename: Ruzica
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palić
authors.forename: Zeljko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vranjes
authors.forename: Silva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soldo-Butković
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D029521:Alphainfluenzavirus; D008875:Middle Aged