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Onset may occur at any age but is most common in adults. It presents as an acute necrosing temporal encephalitis, after a primary or recurrent infection. Onset is rapid (less than 48 hours) with a fever of 40 oC, headaches, and behavioural, language and memory problems. These initial manifestations are followed by numbness and coma, which may be accompanied by convulsions and paralysis.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic recommendations
Additional Information
- TLR3 deficiency in patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, Science Sep 14;317(5844):1522-7
- A missense mutation of the Toll-like receptor 3 gene in a patient with influenza-associated encephalopathy. Clin Immunol 2006(2): 188-94
- Herpes simplex encephalitis, eMedicine, USA
- Encephalitis, Encephalitis Information Resource, UK
- Herpetic encephalopathy, ORPHANET
- Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex, National Organization for Rare Disorders, USA
Diagnostic laboratories
Clinical:
Genetic:
Therapeutic options
- Emergency treatment should involve intravenous administration of acyclovir, as soon as the diagnosis is suspected
- Herpes simplex encephalitis, eMedicine, USA