Pitfalls in the management of herpes simplex virus encephalitis.
We report a case of Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis (HSVE) with a fatal outcome of a patient in his 70s presenting to a local teaching hospital with fever and confusion. We highlight pertinent issues regarding diagnosis, investigation and management, and consider ways of improving clinical outcomes. Finally, we discuss the differential diagnoses of acute encephalitis and review the management of HSVE.
Department of Neurology, Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire, UK.
Richard Tolulope
RT
Ibitoye
Pamela
P
Sarkar
Satyan
S
Rajbhandari
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003221:Confusion / Q000209:etiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D004279:DNA, Viral; D005947:Glucose