Beneficial effect of steroid pulse therapy on acute viral encephalitis.
Corticosteroids are often used in the treatment of acute viral encephalitis, although the efficacy of corticosteroid therapy has not been proven. We examined the effects of high-dose corticosteroid therapy on acute viral encephalitis in 5 patients with progressive disturbances of consciousness. In 3 patients who were treated within 5 days after the onset of illness, pulse therapy dramatically reduced the degree of consciousness disturbance. They became alert within 24 h, and then neurological symptoms gradually improved. Corticosteroid therapy in the other 2 patients, in whom treatment was started more than 3 weeks after the onset of illness, was not as effective, but repeated therapy at 2-week intervals resulted in complete recovery. These findings suggest that high-dose corticosteroid therapy is effective, particularly for disturbances of consciousness, an important prognostic factor in acute viral encephalitis.
Nakano
Ayako
A
Shikoku Central Hospital, Ehime, Japan. aya-n@triton.ocn.ne.jp
Yamasaki
Ryuichi
R
Miyazaki
Shuichi
S
Horiuchi
Nobuaki
N
Kunishige
Makoto
M
Mitsui
Takao
T
D000208:Acute Disease; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002452:Cell Count; D003243:Consciousness / Q000187:drug effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D005914:Globins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D005914:Globins; D000212:Acyclovir; D008775:Methylprednisolone