Abstract

AIM: To evaluate retrospectively adult cases of viral encephalitis.
METHOD: Fifteen patients described viral encephalitis hospitalized between the years 2006-2011 follow-up and treatment at the infectious diseases clinic were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS: Most of the patients (%60) had applied in the spring. Fever (87%), confusion (73%), neck stiffness (73%), headache (73%), nausea-vomiting (33%), loss of consciousness (33%), amnesia (33%), agitation (20%), convulsion (%20), focal neurological signs (13%), Brudzinski-sign (13%) were most frequently encountered findings. Electroencephalography test was applied to 13 of 14 patients, and pathological findings compatible with encephalitis have been found. Radiological imaging methods such as CT and MRI were performed in 9 of the 14 patients, and findings consistent with encephalitis were reported. All of initial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were abnormal. The domination of the first examples was lymphocytes in 14 patients; only one patient had an increase in neutrophilic cells have been found. CSF protein level was high in nine patients, and low glucose level was detected in two patients. Herpes simplex virüs polymerized chain reaction (PCR) analyze was performed to fourteen patients CSF. Only two of them (14%) were found positive. One of the patients sample selectively examined was found to be Parvovirüs B19 (+), the other patient urine sample Jacobs-creutzfeld virüs PCR was found to be positively. Empiric acyclovir therapy was given to all patients. Neuropsychiatric squeal developed at the one patient.
CONCLUSION: The cases in the forefront of change in mental status viral meningoencephalitis should be considered and empirical treatment with acyclovir should be started.

Key words: Encephalitis, meningitis, viral

Article Language: Turkish English