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Published on: September 21, 2021
[Recurrence of meningoencephalitis induced by cotrimoxazole]
F Carrillo1, A Cubero, J Hernández Gallego
1Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Ntra, Sra. de Candelaria, Tenerife.
Abstract:
Although infrequent, one of the etiological causes of aseptic meningoencephalitis is drug-induced. In our patient, two cases of meningocephalitis took place over a period of six years, together with a meningismus following consumption of trimetroprim-sulphametoxazol (cotrimoxazol). Features of the cases were mental confusion, fever, alterations in the CSF and a benign clinical course, with a high degree of doubt regarding diagnosis, given the similarity of anomalies in the CSF to those present in partially treated bacterian meningitis.
Insights
Drug-induced aseptic meningoencephalitis is rare but can occur. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole caused recurrent meningoencephalitis and meningismus in a patient, presenting diagnostic challenges due to similar cerebrospinal fluid findings to bacterial meningitis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Aseptic meningoencephalitis is an uncommon condition.
- Drug-induced etiologies are infrequent but recognized causes.
Observation:
- A patient experienced two episodes of meningoencephalitis and meningismus over six years.
- These episodes were temporally associated with the consumption of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole).
Findings:
- Clinical features included mental confusion, fever, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) alterations.
- The clinical course was benign, but diagnosis was challenging due to CSF anomalies mimicking partially treated bacterial meningitis.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole to induce aseptic meningoencephalitis.
- Emphasizes the importance of considering drug-induced causes in recurrent meningitis presentations with atypical CSF findings.
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