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  • Title: [A case of chronic encephalitis due to double infection with herpes simplex and measles viruses].
    Author: Shinjo H, Ueki A, Miwa C, Morita Y.
    Journal: No To Shinkei; 1997 Nov; 49(11):1021-6. PubMed ID: 9396034.
    Abstract:
    In a healthy 49-year-old man, a decrease in job efficiency was noticed along with bizarre behavior. On admission, he was euphoric, childish, superficial and had increased libido. Neurological findings were normal. There were no abnormal findings on routine blood tests, hematochemistry or urine analysis. MRI showed no abnormal findings. However, single photon emission CT (SPECT) showed diffuse hypoaccummulation of tracer from the temporal to frontal regions. Lumbar puncture showed clear cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with pleocytosis and an elevated protein level. Moreover, antibody IgG titers to herpes simplex virus (HSV) and measles virus were elevated, according to EIA [serum HSV -1,202.2x, measles virus 47.1x: CSF HSV-116.1x, measles virus 9.9x]. The ratio of serum to CSF antibody titers of HSV and measles virus were 12.5 and 4.75, respectively. The antibody index values of HSV and measles virus IgG titers were 8.42 and 22.22. The ratio of albumin was 105.7. Chronic, progressive HSV encephalitis is rare, and there have been very few reports of encephalitis due to double infection by HSV and another virus. Our patient was diagnosed as having encephalitis due to double infection with HSV and measles virus, because the ratio of serum to CSF antibody titers was less than 20 and the antibody index values were over 1.91. Moreover, since the IgG index was elevated and the ratio of albumin was not low, it was suggested that the blood-brain-barrier had not been disrupted, and antibodies were being produced chronically in the medullary cavity. Hyperaccummulation of tracer on SPECT studies has been reported in the early stages of HSV encephalitis. In our case, while CT and MRI showed no abnormal findings, SPECT showed diffuse hypoaccummulation. SPECT appears to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of this disorder. In case of chronic, progressive personality change in middle-aged adults, we must be aware of double virus infection of the brain as a possible causal factor.
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