Herpes simplex virus-induced anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis: a systematic literature review with analysis of 43 cases.

Abstract

AIM:

To conduct a systematic literature review on patients with biphasic disease with herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis followed by anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis.

METHOD:

We conducted a case report and systematic literature review (up to 10 December 2016), focused on differences between herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) and anti-NMDAR encephalitis phases, age-related characteristics of HSV-induced anti-NMDAR encephalitis, and therapy. For statistical analyses, McNemar's test, Fisher's test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used (two-tailed significance level set at 5%).

RESULTS:

Forty-three patients with biphasic disease were identified (31 children). Latency between HSE and anti-NMDAR encephalitis was significantly shorter in children than adults (median 24 vs 40.5d; p=0.006). Compared with HSE, anti-NMDAR encephalitis was characterized by significantly higher frequency of movement disorder (2.5% vs 75% respectively; p<0.001), and significantly lower rate of seizures (70% vs 30% respectively; p=0.001). Compared with adults, during anti-NMDAR encephalitis children had significantly more movement disorders (86.7% children vs 40% adults; p=0.006), fewer psychiatric symptoms (41.9% children vs 90.0% adults; p=0.025), and a slightly higher median modified Rankin Scale score (5 in children vs 4 in adults; p=0.015). During anti-NMDAR encephalitis, 84.6 per cent of patients received aciclovir (for ≤7d in 22.7%; long-term antivirals in 18.0% only), and 92.7 per cent immune therapy, but none had recurrence of HSE clinically or using cerebrospinal fluid HSV polymerase chain reaction (median follow-up 7mo).

INTERPRETATION:

Our review suggests that movement disorder may help differentiate clinically an episode of HSV-induced anti-NMDAR encephalitis from HSE relapse. Compared with adults, children have shorter latency between HSE and anti-NMDAR encephalitis and, during anti-NMDAR encephalitis, more movement disorder, fewer psychiatric symptoms, and slightly more severe disease. According to our results, immune therapy given for HSV-induced anti-NMDAR encephalitis does not predispose patients to HSE recurrence.

• Authors: Margherita Nosadini, Shekeeb S Mohammad, Francesco Corazza, Ezia Maria Ruga, Kavitha Kothur, Giorgio Perilongo, Anna Chiara Frigo, Irene Toldo, Russell C Dale, Stefano Sartori
• Journal: Developmental medicine and child neurology (Dev Med Child Neurol) Vol. 59 Issue 8 Pg. 796-805 (08 2017) ISSN: 1469-8749 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28439890 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: © 2017 Mac Keith Press.

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis (complications, etiology, microbiology, physiopathology)
• Child
• Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex (complications, physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Mental Disorders (etiology, physiopathology)
• Movement Disorders (etiology, physiopathology)
• Simplexvirus (pathogenicity)