Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Distinguishing acyclovir neurotoxicity from encephalomyelitis

S Rashiq1, L Briewa, M Mooney

  • 1Department of Medicine, St John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan.

Journal of Internal Medicine
|November 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Acyclovir neurotoxicity presents with confusion and lethargy, often in elderly patients with kidney issues. It is distinct from viral encephalitis by its rapid onset and lack of fever or focal neurological signs.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Inclusive Search for Anomalous Single-Photon Production in MicroBooNE.

Physical review letters·2026
Same author

First Search for Dark Sector e^{+}e^{-} Explanations of the MiniBooNE Anomaly at MicroBooNE.

Physical review letters·2026
Same author

First Measurement of Charged-Current Muon-Neutrino-Induced K^{+} Production on Argon Using the MicroBooNE Detector.

Physical review letters·2026
Same author

Search for an Anomalous Production of Charged-Current ν_{e} Interactions without Visible Pions across Multiple Kinematic Observables in MicroBooNE.

Physical review letters·2025
Same author

First Measurement of ν_{e} and ν[over ¯]_{e} Charged-Current Single Charged-Pion Production Differential Cross Sections on Argon Using the MicroBooNE Detector.

Physical review letters·2025
Same author

First Double-Differential Cross Section Measurement of Neutral-Current π^{0} Production in Neutrino-Argon Scattering in the MicroBooNE Detector.

Physical review letters·2025

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Disease

Background:

  • Acyclovir is a widely used antiviral medication.
  • Neurotoxicity is a potential adverse effect of many drugs.
  • Distinguishing drug-induced neurotoxicity from central nervous system infections is clinically important.

Observation:

  • This study analyzed 35 patients experiencing neuropsychiatric symptoms during acyclovir treatment.
  • Predisposing factors included concurrent neurotoxic medications and renal impairment.
  • Elevated acyclovir levels were frequently observed.

Findings:

  • Characteristic symptoms included confusion, agitation, lethargy, and hallucinations.
  • Fever, headache, seizures, and focal neurological deficits were rare.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Cerebrospinal fluid and CT scans were typically normal, differentiating it from viral encephalitis.
  • Implications:

    • Acyclovir neurotoxicity is a dose-dependent, reversible condition.
    • Early recognition and discontinuation of acyclovir are crucial for patient recovery.
    • Understanding these clinical features aids in differentiating acyclovir neurotoxicity from viral encephalitis.