Clinical use of steroids in viral central nervous system (CNS) infections: three challenging cases.

Abstract

The role of adjunctive corticosteroids in reducing morbidity and mortality of viral CNS infections remains poorly defined. Clinicians are often left in a quagmire regarding steroid use in complex and rapidly evolving viral CNS infections. Limited studies have explored the underlying mechanisms behind the potential benefit of steroids. Here, we describe steroid use in three cases of viral CNS disease: varicella zoster virus (VZV), Powassan virus, and influenza A-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy.

• Authors: Adam Kroopnick, Dan Tong Jia, Kathryn Rimmer, Vivian S Namale, Carla Kim, Ugoada Ofoezie, Kiran T Thakur
• Journal: Journal of neurovirology (J Neurovirol) Vol. 27 Issue 5 Pg. 727-734 (10 2021) ISSN: 1538-2443 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 34596868 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: © 2021. Journal of NeuroVirology, Inc.

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Steroids

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Central Nervous System
• Central Nervous System Viral Diseases (drug therapy)
• Herpes Zoster
• Herpesvirus 3, Human (physiology)
• Humans
• Steroids (therapeutic use)