Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
Published on: July 24, 2016
[Encephalopathy and acute renal failure during acyclovir treatment]
A Delluc1, Y Mocquard, P Latour
1Service de Neurologie, CHU de la Cavale Blanche, Brest, France.
Introduction:
Adverse neurological and renal effects can occur in patients taking acyclovir. Neurotoxicity of acyclovir results from an accumulation of the antiviral and its metabolites in the bloodstream. This can be observed in the elderly or in patients with chronic renal failure, generally in dialysis patients. Acute renal failure results from intratubular crystallization of acyclovir.
Observation:
A 78-year-old right-handed woman was admitted in an emergency setting for aphasia. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid was normal, but herpetic meningo-encephalitis was suspected and intravenous treatment was initiated with acyclovir. After the second infusion, the patient began to suffer from visual hallucinations, confusion and acute renal failure. Herpes PCR was negative in the cerebrospinal fluid, and the adverse drug reactions regressed completely after 72 hours.
Conclusion:
Renal function has to be checked often in patients given acyclovir for appropriate dose titration. Patients recover prompt from the adverse effects at drug withdrawal.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Acute Kidney Injury VI: Nursing Management
Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Hepatic Encephalopathy

