Herpes simplex encephalitis presenting after steroid treatment of panuveitis

Med J Aust. 2011 Jul 18;195(2):87-8. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2011.tb03216.x.

Abstract

A 62-year-old woman with an autoimmune disease presented with panuveitis and was treated with immune suppression. She subsequently developed herpetic acute retinal necrosis and later died of herpes simplex encephalitis. Acute retinal necrosis usually occurs months to years after herpes simplex encephalitis. In our case, the ocular findings were present for 5 weeks before the encephalitis presented. To our knowledge, this is the first Australian case of acute retinal necrosis preceding herpes simplex encephalitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / chemically induced*
  • Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Herpes Simplex / drug therapy
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Panuveitis / drug therapy*
  • Prednisolone / adverse effects*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / chemically induced

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone
  • Acyclovir