title: Atypical manifestations and poor outcome of herpes simplex encephalitis in the immunocompromised.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize clinical features, neuroimaging, and outcomes of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) in immunocompromised individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective case control review of patients diagnosed with HSE. Adult patients were dichotomized into immunocompromised (n = 14) and immunocompetent groups (n = 15).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fewer immunocompromised patients presented with prodromal symptoms and focal deficits. While the majority of CSF profiles in the immunocompromised patients were mononuclear cells predominant, 3 had polymorphonuclear predominance and another 3 had normal profiles. MRI showed widespread cortical involvement, with brainstem or cerebellar involvement in some. Two immunocompromised patients had recurrent HSE. The immunosuppressed state was associated with a decrease in Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPSS) score of 23.1 (p = 0.018). Every 1-day delay in initiation of acyclovir was associated with a decrease in KPSS of 10.2 (p = 0.002), and every 10 cell/mm(3) increase of CSF leukocytosis was associated with an increase in KPSS of 0.7 (p = 0.009). Mortality rate was 6 times higher in the immunocompromised patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immunocompromised states may predispose to HSE with atypical clinical and neuroradiologic features. Immunocompromised individuals with HSE have significantly worse outcomes and mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment is associated with improved outcome. The findings are particularly important in light of the increasing use of potent immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Ik L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Justin C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: McArthur
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Venkatesan
authors.forename: Avindra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nath
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062706:Prodromal Symptoms; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000212:Acyclovir