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Zuo et al. Neuroimmunol Neuroinflammation 2017;4:24-7 Neuroimmunology and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-8659.2016.34
Neuroinflammation

www.nnjournal.net
Topic: Infectious Disease of Central Nervous System Open Access

A review with comments on herpes simplex

encephalitis in adults

Xu-Zheng Zuo, Wei-Ju Tang, Xiu-Ying Chen, Wen Huang

Department of Neurology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China.
Correspondence to: Prof. Wen Huang, Department of Neurology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China.
E-mail: huang_wen2015@sina.com
How to cite this article: Zuo XZ, Tang WJ, Chen XY, Huang W. A review with comments on herpes simplex encephalitis in adults. Neuroimmunol
Neuroinflammation 2017;4:24-7.
ABSTRACT

Article history: Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) can cause permanent injury to the brain parenchyma. As
Received: 08-07-2016 such, it is usually treated as a medical emergency for which correct immediate diagnosis and
Accepted: 20-12-2016 introduction of specific therapies are critical for survival and prognosis. Here, the authors
Published: 20-02-2017 review the current status of diagnosis and treatments and discuss unsolved issues surrounding
therapeutic interventions. The authors also highlight the current expectations for future
Key words: management of HSE.
Herpes simplex encephalitis,
adults,
diagnosis,
therapies

INTRODUCTION Unfortunately, this CNS disease is life-threatening, as
it can also affect the brainstem preferentially or both
Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is an acute hemispheres simultaneously in addition to the frontal
[6]
infectious disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and temporal lobes, causing a series of clinical features
caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). It typically including cognitive impairment, personality changes,
occurs in the frontal and temporal lobes, causing seizures, aphasia, and focal weakness. [7,8]
hemorrhagic necrotic lesions of brain parenchyma.
HSE is the most common cause of sporadic fatal viral HSE is associated with 70% mortality in untreated
encephalitis, accounts for almost 20% of all cases patients. In treated cases, there is also about
[1]
of encephalitis, and has an annual incidence of 1 in 30% mortality and a high-incidence of severe and
[2]
250,000 to 500,000. [3] permanent neurological sequelae, such as memory
impairment, personality and behavioral abnormalities,
In immunocompetent adults, more than 90% of HSE or seizures. [9,10] Because of its high morbidity and
cases are due to HSV-1, whereas HSV-2 is typically mortality, it has become a global public health problem
[4]
responsible for HSE in immunosuppressed individuals. with a huge economic impact on the whole society.
[5]
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