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Conference Paper: Herpes simplex encephalitis: how good are we in diagnosing this condition?

TitleHerpes simplex encephalitis: how good are we in diagnosing this condition?
Authors
KeywordsMedical sciences
Issue Date2010
PublisherHong Kong Academy of Medicine Press. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.hkmj.org.hk
Citation
The 15th Medical Research Conference (MRC 2010), Hong Kong, 16 January 2010. In Hong Kong Medical Journal, 2010, v. 16 suppl. 1, p. 29, abstract no. 42 How to Cite?
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is the commonest sporadic infective encephalitis in Hong Kong. Early recognition of HSE, which relies on a high index of suspicion, is important as effective treatment is available. Empirical acyclovir is advocated for all cases of clinically suspected viral encephalitis. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a routine investigation in suspected HSE. METHODS: The EEG database of Neurodiagnostic Unit, Queen Mary Hospital, was reviewed retrospectively. All referrals from April 2006 to March 2009 with a diagnosis of suspected HSE treated with empirical intravenous acyclovir were identified. Their presenting features, imaging and laboratory findings, and final diagnoses were reviewed. RESULTS: During the study period, 60 patients (mean age, 51 years; range, 18-90 years, M:F ratio=13:7) underwent EEG for suspected HSE. Presenting features included fever (n=39), confusion (n=39), impaired consciousness (n=31), focal signs (n=15, seizure in 8), and headache (n=13). All patients underwent brain CT and 45 had MRI. The commonest imaging findings were unrelated old changes (n=20) and normal study (n=16). Lobar inflammation was detected in four patients. EEG was normal, showed diffused abnormalities, or focal/ multifocal abnormalities in 16, 31, or 13 patients, respectively. Lumbar puncture was performed in 59 patients. Total cell count was ≤10×106 /L in 68% of patients and CSF protein was <0.8 g/L in 51% of patients. Polymerase chain reaction for herpes simplex virus was positive in one out of 56 requests. Viral encephalitis was the final diagnosis in three patients (HSE=1, Japanese encephalitis=1, other virus=1). Other common diagnoses included meningitis (n=9), non-CNS sepsis (n=9), psychiatric illnesses (n=8), epileptic seizure (n=6), and acute stroke (n=5). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that we were exercising a high index of suspicion for diagnosing HSE. Our liberal use of empirical acyclovir was also consistent with the IDSA (Infection Diseases Society of America) recommendations. Despite our low threshold of investigating for HSE, only one case was identified over 3 years, suggesting HSE is an uncommon condition.
Persistent Identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/126454
ISSN
2023 Impact Factor: 3.1
2023 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.261

 

DC FieldValueLanguage
dc.contributor.authorKwan, MWMen_HK
dc.contributor.authorMak, Wen_HK
dc.contributor.authorChan, KHen_HK
dc.contributor.authorCheung, RTFen_HK
dc.contributor.authorHo, SLen_HK
dc.date.accessioned2010-10-31T12:29:30Z-
dc.date.available2010-10-31T12:29:30Z-
dc.date.issued2010en_HK
dc.identifier.citationThe 15th Medical Research Conference (MRC 2010), Hong Kong, 16 January 2010. In Hong Kong Medical Journal, 2010, v. 16 suppl. 1, p. 29, abstract no. 42en_HK
dc.identifier.issn1024-2708-
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/126454-
dc.description.abstractINTRODUCTION: Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is the commonest sporadic infective encephalitis in Hong Kong. Early recognition of HSE, which relies on a high index of suspicion, is important as effective treatment is available. Empirical acyclovir is advocated for all cases of clinically suspected viral encephalitis. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a routine investigation in suspected HSE. METHODS: The EEG database of Neurodiagnostic Unit, Queen Mary Hospital, was reviewed retrospectively. All referrals from April 2006 to March 2009 with a diagnosis of suspected HSE treated with empirical intravenous acyclovir were identified. Their presenting features, imaging and laboratory findings, and final diagnoses were reviewed. RESULTS: During the study period, 60 patients (mean age, 51 years; range, 18-90 years, M:F ratio=13:7) underwent EEG for suspected HSE. Presenting features included fever (n=39), confusion (n=39), impaired consciousness (n=31), focal signs (n=15, seizure in 8), and headache (n=13). All patients underwent brain CT and 45 had MRI. The commonest imaging findings were unrelated old changes (n=20) and normal study (n=16). Lobar inflammation was detected in four patients. EEG was normal, showed diffused abnormalities, or focal/ multifocal abnormalities in 16, 31, or 13 patients, respectively. Lumbar puncture was performed in 59 patients. Total cell count was ≤10×106 /L in 68% of patients and CSF protein was <0.8 g/L in 51% of patients. Polymerase chain reaction for herpes simplex virus was positive in one out of 56 requests. Viral encephalitis was the final diagnosis in three patients (HSE=1, Japanese encephalitis=1, other virus=1). Other common diagnoses included meningitis (n=9), non-CNS sepsis (n=9), psychiatric illnesses (n=8), epileptic seizure (n=6), and acute stroke (n=5). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that we were exercising a high index of suspicion for diagnosing HSE. Our liberal use of empirical acyclovir was also consistent with the IDSA (Infection Diseases Society of America) recommendations. Despite our low threshold of investigating for HSE, only one case was identified over 3 years, suggesting HSE is an uncommon condition.-
dc.languageengen_HK
dc.publisherHong Kong Academy of Medicine Press. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.hkmj.org.hk-
dc.relation.ispartofHong Kong Medical Journalen_HK
dc.rightsHong Kong Medical Journal. Copyright © Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press.-
dc.rightsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.-
dc.subjectMedical sciences-
dc.titleHerpes simplex encephalitis: how good are we in diagnosing this condition?en_HK
dc.typeConference_Paperen_HK
dc.identifier.emailMak, W: makwaiwo@hotmail.comen_HK
dc.identifier.emailChan, KH: koonho@hku.hken_HK
dc.identifier.emailCheung, RTF: rtcheung@hku.hken_HK
dc.identifier.emailHo, SL: slho@hku.hk, slho@hkucc.hku.hk-
dc.identifier.authorityChan, KH=rp00537en_HK
dc.identifier.authorityCheung, RTF=rp00434en_HK
dc.identifier.authorityHo, SL=rp00240en_HK
dc.description.naturepublished_or_final_version-
dc.identifier.hkuros174979en_HK
dc.identifier.volume16en_HK
dc.identifier.issuesuppl. 1en_HK
dc.identifier.spage29, abstract no. 42en_HK
dc.identifier.epage29, abstract no. 42-
dc.publisher.placeHong Kong-
dc.description.otherThe 15th Medical Research Conference; Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 16 January 2010. In Hong Kong Medical Journal, 2010, v. 16 suppl. 1, p. 29, abstract no. 42-
dc.identifier.issnl1024-2708-

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