Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
05:51
Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
Published on: July 24, 2016
[99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT in a case of HSV encephalitis]
L Campos Villarino1, A Serena Puig, J Romero López
1Servicios de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Meixoeiro, 36200 Vigo. luis.campos.villarino@sergas.es
Revista Espanola De Medicina Nuclear
|April 26, 2005
Summary
This case study details a Herpes Simplex Virus encephalitis diagnosis in a 57-year-old woman. Advanced imaging revealed widespread brain involvement and persistent metabolic changes causing aphasia.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a common cause of sporadic fatal encephalitis.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A 57-year-old woman presented with symptoms initially suggestive of viral infection without focal neurological deficits.
- Delayed neurological symptoms prompted cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, revealing pleocytosis and lymphocytosis.
- Serological tests confirmed Herpes Simplex Virus (SHV) subtypes I and II positivity.
Findings:
- Neuroimaging including EEG, CT, MRI, and cerebral perfusion SPECT demonstrated bihemispheral extension of the encephalic condition.
- Post-discharge, persistent metabolic abnormalities were identified in the temporal cortex.
- These metabolic changes were associated with concomitant mixed aphasia.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering HSV encephalitis even with atypical presentations.
- Advanced neuroimaging and metabolic assessment are vital for understanding disease extent and long-term sequelae.
- Identifying persistent metabolic abnormalities aids in explaining persistent neurological deficits like aphasia.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...