Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
11-5-2022 1:00 PM
End Date
11-5-2022 4:00 PM
Description
A gentleman in his 60’s presented to the hospital with dyspnea, fever, and hypoxia. He was diagnosed with Covid-19 pneumonia and treated with BiPAP, oxygen, dexamethasone, enoxaparin, budesonide, and albuterol. His hospital stay lasted 33 days. He was discharged home on oxygen and steroids. He returned to the hospital 3 days later with altered mental status. He was diagnosed with HSV encephalitis and treated with 2 weeks of acyclovir. Although his HSV resolved, he suffered temporal lobe necrosis and lasting neurologic dysfunction.
HSV is the most common cause of encephalitis. HSV encephalitis can occur in a host co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 due to the effects of fever and hypoxia on neuronal and immune cell gene expression, and the immunosuppressive effects of steroid treatment. Here we present the first detailed case study of HSV encephalitis in a Covid-19 patient, review current treatments for both diseases, and describe probable molecular mechanisms for co-infection.
Embargo Period
6-1-2022
Included in
Herpes Simplex Encephalitis After Covid-19 Infection
Philadelphia, PA
A gentleman in his 60’s presented to the hospital with dyspnea, fever, and hypoxia. He was diagnosed with Covid-19 pneumonia and treated with BiPAP, oxygen, dexamethasone, enoxaparin, budesonide, and albuterol. His hospital stay lasted 33 days. He was discharged home on oxygen and steroids. He returned to the hospital 3 days later with altered mental status. He was diagnosed with HSV encephalitis and treated with 2 weeks of acyclovir. Although his HSV resolved, he suffered temporal lobe necrosis and lasting neurologic dysfunction.
HSV is the most common cause of encephalitis. HSV encephalitis can occur in a host co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 due to the effects of fever and hypoxia on neuronal and immune cell gene expression, and the immunosuppressive effects of steroid treatment. Here we present the first detailed case study of HSV encephalitis in a Covid-19 patient, review current treatments for both diseases, and describe probable molecular mechanisms for co-infection.