Infectious Trigger for Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Herpes simplex virus 1 infection is a common cause of encephalitis (HSVE) in the United States. Post-HSVE development of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies resulting in autoimmune encephalitis is a rare complication, primarily affecting children and young adults. Anti-NMDAR develops 1–...

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Main Authors: Najmus Sahar, Alexander Michael Nurre, Ryan Q. Simon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/5731969
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author Najmus Sahar
Alexander Michael Nurre
Ryan Q. Simon
author_facet Najmus Sahar
Alexander Michael Nurre
Ryan Q. Simon
author_sort Najmus Sahar
collection DOAJ
description Herpes simplex virus 1 infection is a common cause of encephalitis (HSVE) in the United States. Post-HSVE development of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies resulting in autoimmune encephalitis is a rare complication, primarily affecting children and young adults. Anti-NMDAR develops 1–4 weeks after HSVE, manifesting as choreoathetosis and/or orofacial dyskinesia in children and psychiatric symptoms in young adults. We describe a case of a 61-year-old male who presented with agitation, behavioral changes, and confusion eight months after being treated for HSVE. Extensive investigation was unrevealing except for cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytic pleocytosis, a positive anti-NMDAR Ab titer 1 : 64, and imaging changes consistent with postviral encephalitis suggestive of HSV-induced anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Aggressive therapy resulted in limited success and persistent neurologic deficits. The unique features of this case are the old age of the patient and preceding HSVE which triggered this autoimmune process. Physicians should consider anti-NMDAR encephalitis in the differentials for relapsing patients after HSVE.
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spelling doaj-art-56caa3f55aa542b9bc57e08924fa6e602025-08-20T02:05:56ZengWileyCase Reports in Infectious Diseases2090-66252090-66332019-01-01201910.1155/2019/57319695731969Infectious Trigger for Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Case Report and Literature ReviewNajmus Sahar0Alexander Michael Nurre1Ryan Q. Simon2Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Ohio, USABoonshaft School of Medicine, Class 2019, Dayton, Ohio, USAWright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Ohio, USAHerpes simplex virus 1 infection is a common cause of encephalitis (HSVE) in the United States. Post-HSVE development of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies resulting in autoimmune encephalitis is a rare complication, primarily affecting children and young adults. Anti-NMDAR develops 1–4 weeks after HSVE, manifesting as choreoathetosis and/or orofacial dyskinesia in children and psychiatric symptoms in young adults. We describe a case of a 61-year-old male who presented with agitation, behavioral changes, and confusion eight months after being treated for HSVE. Extensive investigation was unrevealing except for cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytic pleocytosis, a positive anti-NMDAR Ab titer 1 : 64, and imaging changes consistent with postviral encephalitis suggestive of HSV-induced anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Aggressive therapy resulted in limited success and persistent neurologic deficits. The unique features of this case are the old age of the patient and preceding HSVE which triggered this autoimmune process. Physicians should consider anti-NMDAR encephalitis in the differentials for relapsing patients after HSVE.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/5731969
spellingShingle Najmus Sahar
Alexander Michael Nurre
Ryan Q. Simon
Infectious Trigger for Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Case Report and Literature Review
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
title Infectious Trigger for Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Case Report and Literature Review
title_full Infectious Trigger for Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Case Report and Literature Review
title_fullStr Infectious Trigger for Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Case Report and Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed Infectious Trigger for Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Case Report and Literature Review
title_short Infectious Trigger for Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Case Report and Literature Review
title_sort infectious trigger for autoimmune encephalitis a case report and literature review
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/5731969
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