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$Unique_ID{BRK03702}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Encephalitis, Herpetic}
$Subject{Encephalitis Herpetic Herpes Encephalitis Herpes Simplex Encephalitis
Herpetic Meningoencephalitis Herpetic Brainstem Encephalitis Meningitis}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991 National Organization for Rare
Disorders, Inc.
376:
Encephalitis, Herpetic
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Herpetic Encephalitis) is
not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next
page to find alternate names, disorder subdivisions, and related disorders
covered by this article.
Synonyms
Herpes Encephalitis
Herpes Simplex Encephalitis
Herpetic Meningoencephalitis
Herpetic Brainstem Encephalitis
Information on the following disease can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Meningitis
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Encephalitis is a central nervous system infection. Herpetic
Encephalitis is caused by a virus known as Herpes Simplex Virus. Primary
symptoms include headache, drowsiness, hyperactivity and/or general weakness.
This disorder may have some similar symptoms to Meningitis such as a stiff
neck, altered reflexes, confusion, possible paralysis and/or speech
disorders. Skin lesions usually are not found.
Symptoms
Herpes Encephalitis usually begins without warning. Headaches and possible
seizures are the primary symptoms. Drowsiness with general weakness,
hyperactivity or psychotic behavior may then occur. Some symptoms of Herpes
Encephalitis may mimic Meningitis. These may include a stiff neck, altered
reflexes, confusion, speech disorders, possible convulsions and paralysis.
In more serious cases, patients may become comatose.
Causes
Herpes Encephalitis is a sporadic viral infection caused by a complication of
the Herpes Simplex Virus. Herpes Simplex Infection is an acute viral disease
usually spread from person to person. It is marked by small fluid-filled
blisters appearing on the lips or genitals often accompanied by fever.
Precipitating factors may include the common cold, emotional disturbances,
sunburn or skin abrasions. This virus may become immediately active, or stay
in the body for some time in a latent state, after which it may reactivate.
Affected Population
Herpes Encephalitis usually occurs during early childhood or adulthood. It
affects males and females in equal numbers.
Related Disorders
There are many types of human and animal encephalitis. These differ in
causes, parts of the body affected, degree of severity and areas of the world
where they occur. The symptoms of these disorders may also overlap with or
resemble other infectious disorders. Basically, encephalitis is an infection
that causes inflammation of the brain.
Meningitis involves inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain
and spinal cord. There are many types of Meningitis, caused by many
different infectious agents. The infection can range from mild to severe.
Meningitis may also accompany other infections such as Herpes Encephalitis.
Another drug being used to treat Herpes Encephalitis is Zovirax
(aciclovir). It is manufactured by Burroughs-Wellcome.
Therapies: Standard
In some cases, early treatment of Herpes Encephalitis with the antiviral drug
vidarabine may provide dramatic improvement. It may also help to prevent
recurrences of the disorder. However, this drug may not benefit patients in
advanced stages of the infection. Antiviral therapy should be started as
soon as a Herpes simplex encephalitis is suspected. Usually, this therapy
will not interfere with diagnostic procedures to identify other suspected
disorders.
Therapies: Investigational
Medical researchers are investigating use of several new antiviral drugs to
treat Herpes Encephalitis. The use of these drugs is still under
investigation to determine long-term effectiveness and possible side effects.
Clinical trials are being conducted on the experimental drug Arabinosyl
adenine (Ara-A) for treatment of Herpes Encephalitis. This drug has not been
officially designated an Orphan Drug by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) because the manufacturer/developer has not yet applied for financial
incentives under the Orphan Drug Act. For additional information, physicians
can contact:
Ives Laboratories
Professional Service
P.O. Box 8299
Philadelphia, PA 19101
The drug PR-225 (Redox Acyclovir), manufactured by Pharmatec Inc., has
received new orphan drug designation by the FDA for treatment of Herpes
Simplex Encephalitis in AIDS patients.
For information on additional therapies that have been designated as
Orphan Drugs in the last few months, please return to the main menu of NORD
Services and access the Orphan Drug Database.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
November 1991. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Herpes Encephalitis, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5717
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3534
NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke (NINDS)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5751
(800) 352-9424
References
HERPETIC ENCEPHALITIS: PROGNOSTIC ELEMENTS IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN (49 CASES):
A. Foucher, et. al.; Rev Electroencephalogr Neurophysiol Clin (Sept. 1985,
issue 15(2)). Pp. 185-193.
OCULAR INFECTION WITH HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE 1: PREVENTION OF ACUTE
HERPETIC ENCEPHALITIS BY SYSTEMIC ADMINISTRATION OF VIRUS-SPECIFIC ANTIBODY:
W.B. Taylor, et al.; J Infect Dis (October 1979, issue 140(4)). Pp. 534-540.