Herpes simplex encephalitis resulting in neurologic sequelae: A case report

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most common cause of sporadic viral encephalitis. Fever, impaired consciousness, and focal neurological findings are typical clinical features of HSV encephalitis. Herpes simplex virus encephalitis often progresses with focal edema, necrosis, and hemorrhage in the temporal and frontal lobes. Sudden onset fever and symptoms suggestive of temporal lobe involvement are typical clinical features of HSV encephalitis. The mortality rate is high in untreated cases. Permanent neurological sequelae can be seen even in cases treated appropriately and in a timely manner. The gold standard in definitive diagnosis is the detection of HSV-deoxyribonucleic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid by polymerase chain reaction. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging modality for the diagnosis of HSV encephalitis. In this case report, we represent a 62-year-old male patient with HSV encephalitis who developed pneumonia and acute deep-vein thrombosis during treatment.

• Presented as a poster at the 32^nd ANKEM Congress on Rational Antibiotic Use. May 10-14, 2017, Antalya, Türkiye

Cite this article as: Oğuz Mızrakçı S. Herpes simplex encephalitis resulting in neurologic sequelae: A case report. D J Med Sci 2022;8(3):120-122.

A written informed consent was obtained from the patient.

Data Sharing Statement:
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

The author declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/ or publication of this article.

The author received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.