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A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation
Published on: April 2, 2012
Basal ganglia involvement in a child with herpes simplex encephalitis
Gobinda Mondal1, Roopesh Kumar, Jayant Kumar Ghosh
1Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, India. drgm1976@rediffmail.com
Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|May 29, 2009
Summary
A rare case of Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) in an infant involved deep brain structures and caused extrapyramidal symptoms. Corticosteroid therapy proved effective in treating this severe neurological condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a significant cause of sporadic viral encephalitis in both children and adults.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing HSE, a condition with potentially severe neurological sequelae.
Observation:
- A 15-month-old infant presented with fever and seizures, rapidly progressing to unconsciousness.
- Clinical examination revealed signs of increased intracranial pressure, bilateral pupillary constriction, and generalized muscle atonia.
- The infant exhibited a rare pattern of HSE involving the bilateral thalamus, putamen, upper pons, and midbrain.
Findings:
- The patient developed extrapyramidal symptoms, a rare manifestation of HSE.
- Corticosteroid therapy was administered, leading to a positive clinical response.
- The extensive brain involvement in this case highlights the diverse presentations of HSE.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering HSE in infants presenting with severe neurological symptoms, even with atypical brain region involvement.
- The positive response to corticosteroids suggests a potential therapeutic role in specific HSE presentations, warranting further investigation.
- Understanding rare HSE manifestations aids in refining diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies for this critical neurological illness.
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