Musallam B, Matoth I, Wolf DG, Engelhard D, Averbuch D. Steroids for deteriorating herpes simplex virus encephalitis.
Pediatr Neurol 2007;
37:229-32. [PMID:
17765816 DOI:
10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2007.05.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2007] [Revised: 03/14/2007] [Accepted: 05/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A 16-month-old girl presented with herpes simplex virus type 1 encephalitis with involvement of bilateral parietofrontal lobes, left thalamus and cerebellum. She was treated with intravenous acyclovir. As her condition deteriorated, high-dose methylprednisolone was administered, resulting in remarkable improvement. This case suggests considering a short course of high-dose steroid therapy in severe herpes simplex encephalitis when there is clinical and radiologic deterioration in spite of appropriate antiviral therapy and decreasing viral load in the cerebrospinal fluid.
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