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Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: July 3, 2007
Recurrent encephalitis due to trimethoprim intake
J Hedlund1, E Aurelius, J Andersson
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1990
Abstract:
We wish to report a 76-year-old woman with 2 episodes of meningitis related to the intake of trimethoprim. On both occasions the patient demonstrated encephalitic symptoms and a pathological electroencephalogram with cerebral function disturbances. A similar case with encephalitic symptoms due to trimethoprim has not been reported earlier.
Insights
This study reports a rare case of meningitis and encephalitic symptoms in a 76-year-old woman linked to trimethoprim. The patient experienced two episodes, highlighting a potential adverse drug reaction not previously documented.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Trimethoprim is an antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections.
- Adverse neurological events associated with trimethoprim are rare but can be serious.
- Meningitis and encephalitic symptoms represent significant neurological complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a unique case of meningitis and encephalitic symptoms.
- To investigate the potential link between trimethoprim and neurological dysfunction.
- To highlight an uncharacteristic adverse drug reaction to trimethoprim.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 76-year-old female patient.
- Clinical observation of two distinct episodes of illness.
- Neurological examination and electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis.
- Review of medication history, focusing on trimethoprim intake.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced two episodes of meningitis.
- Encephalitic symptoms, including cerebral function disturbances, were observed.
- Pathological findings on electroencephalogram correlated with neurological symptoms.
- Both episodes were temporally associated with trimethoprim use.
Conclusions:
- Trimethoprim may be associated with severe neurological adverse events, including meningitis and encephalitis.
- This case represents a previously unreported presentation of trimethoprim-induced neurological toxicity.
- Clinicians should consider trimethoprim as a potential cause in patients presenting with unexplained meningitis and encephalitic symptoms.
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