Herpes Simplex Encephalitis: Lack of Clinical Benefit of Long-term Valacyclovir Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Despite the proven efficacy of acyclovir (ACV) therapy, herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Among patients with HSE treated with ACV, the mortality rate is approximately 14%-19%. Among survivors, 45%-60% have neuropsychological sequelae at 1 year. Thus, improving therapeutic approaches to HSE remains a high priority. METHODS: Following completion of a standard course of intravenous ACV, 87 adult patients with HSE (confirmed by positive polymerase chain reaction [PCR] for herpes simplex virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid) were randomized to receive either valacyclovir (VACV) 2 g thrice daily (n = 40) or placebo tablets (n = 47) for 90 days (12 tablets of study medication daily). The primary endpoint was survival with no or mild neuropsychological impairment at 12 months, as measured by the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS). Logistic regression was utilized to assess factors related to the primary endpoint. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics of the 2 randomization groups were statistically similar with no significant differences in age, sex, or race. At 12 months, there was no significant difference in the MDRS scoring for VACV-treated vs placebo recipients, with 85.7% and 90.2%, respectively, of patients demonstrating no or mild neuropsychological impairment (P = .72). No significant study-related adverse events were encountered in either treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Following standard treatment with intravenous ACV for PCR-confirmed HSE, an additional 3-month course of oral VACV therapy did not provide added benefit as measured by neuropsychological testing 12 months later in a population of relatively high-functioning survivors. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT00031486.

Legionella micdadei brain abscess.

We describe an immunocompromised patient who developed a large frontal brain abscess caused by Legionella micdadei. This is, to our knowledge, a rare case of culture-proven Legionella central nervous system infection.

Community-acquired pneumonia: new facets of an old disease--Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

It seems that with climatic and geoecologic changes, Hantaviruses have re-emerged as human pathogens related to increases in interaction between humans and rodent reservoirs. Infection with SNV in North America and the Andes virus in South America can produce infection manifest initially as a flu-like illness. In the setting of a history of possible exposure to rodents or their excreta, clinical symptoms and laboratory clues such as thrombocytopenia should raise the suspicion of HPS. Clinical deterioration can be rapid, so patients should be hospitalized and transported to tertiary care centers where mechanical ventilation is available if necessary. Presumptive treatment for other forms of sepsis should be considered before confirmation of diagnosis. Survival seems to be determined in part by viral and host factors. Canadian and South American data suggest that there may be species variations influencing clinical manifestations and course of disease. Because the pathogenesis seems to be based on immunologic injury, future treatments will likely focus on interventions other than antiviral medications. Prevention strategies should be emphasized, particularly when recognized climatic conditions favor rodent abundance. Physicians should remain alert to the possibility of such a diagnosis when evaluating a patient with CAP and should request appropriate serology while supporting the patient in a closely monitored setting. The declining mortality rates seen over the past decade may be a consequence of improved medical management or better recognition of cases, including those less severe than originally described.

Placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of intravenous ribavirin for the treatment of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in North America.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND. Ribavirin is active in vitro against hantaviruses, but the findings of an open trial of the use of intravenous ribavirin for the treatment of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) were inconclusive. METHODS: Subjects with suspected HCPS in the prodrome or cardiopulmonary phase but without shock were eligible for randomization to receive either intravenous ribavirin (33 mg/kg [