obsolete adenovirus encephalitis

Adenovirus Encephalitis: A Rare but Serious Condition

Adenovirus encephalitis is a rare and serious condition that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It is caused by an infection with the adenovirus, which can lead to inflammation of the brain tissue.

Symptoms

The symptoms of adenovirus encephalitis typically include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Convulsions
• Disturbance of consciousness
• Meningeal irritation

In severe cases, the disease may lead to varying degrees of neurological sequelae, including cognitive impairments, motor dysfunction, and epilepsy.

Incidence

Adenovirus encephalitis is a rare condition, but it can be life-threatening. According to some studies, adenoviruses cause a wide variety of clinical syndromes, including respiratory illness, enteritis, hepatitis, hemorrhagic cystitis, nephritis, conjunctivitis, and encephalitis [7]. The estimated median hospitalization charge for a patient with viral encephalitis is $89,600 for West Nile virus encephalitis and $58,000 for HSV encephalitis [12].

Prognostic Factors

Poor prognostic factors for adenovirus encephalitis include serotype 3, younger age, coagulopathy, absence of meningismus, and the presence of seizures [11]. The sequelae reported after viral encephalitis can involve cognitive impairments, motor dysfunction, and epilepsy, where the cases of epilepsy have been described up to 20% in the survivors of viral encephalitis [10].

Conclusion

Adenovirus encephalitis is a rare but serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term neurological sequelae.

References:

[7] Shwartz et al reported serotype 2, younger age, coagulopathy, absence of meningismus, and the presence of seizures as poor prognostic factors. [10] The sequelae reported after viral encephalitis can involve cognitive impairments, motor dysfunction, and epilepsy, where the cases of epilepsy have been described up to 20% in the survivors of viral encephalitis (Libbey and Fujinami, 2011; Schmidt et al., 2011). [11] Fifty-one serotypes of adenovirus exist, and serotype 7 is most commonly reported as the culprit for CNS infection. Moreover, serotype 3 is associated with severe encephalitis and a poor outcome. [12] The estimated median hospitalization charge for a patient with viral encephalitis is $89,600 for West Nile virus encephalitis and $58,000 for HSV encephalitis.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Adenovirus encephalitis, although rare, can manifest in various ways. The symptoms may range from mild to severe and include:

• Respiratory distress: This is often the first sign of infection, especially in infants (9).
• Ground glass pneumonia: A type of lung inflammation that can be a precursor to more severe neurological symptoms (9).
• Seizures: These can occur as a result of the viral infection affecting the brain (5, 15).
• Confusion and altered mental status: Patients may exhibit changes in behavior, such as confusion, disorientation, or altered mental status (5, 15).
• Headache: A common symptom that can range from mild to severe (5, 13).
• Fever: Many patients experience fever as a result of the infection (11, 13).
• Nasal congestion, coryza, and cough: These symptoms are often associated with adenovirus infections but may not necessarily indicate encephalitis (11).

Rare but Severe Symptoms

In some cases, adenovirus encephalitis can lead to more severe symptoms, including:

• Obtundation or coma: Rarely, patients may progress to a state of decreased consciousness or even coma (1).
• Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE): A rare but potentially fatal condition that requires immediate medical attention (2).

Important Considerations

It's essential to note that adenovirus encephalitis is a rare condition, and the symptoms may vary from person to person. If you suspect someone has this infection, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately.

References:

1. JE Greenlee · 2014
2. Adenovirus is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections.
3. Encephalitis can cause drowsiness, confusion, seizures, fever and headache.
4. Learn about Viral encephalitis or find a doctor at Mount Sinai Health System.
5. It is characterized by acute onset and symptoms such as headache, high fever, vomiting, convulsions, and consciousness disorders.
6. May 1, 2024 - An adenovirus is a type of virus that can cause mild to severe infection.
7. Patients present with acute to subacute onset of altered mental status; typical features include fever, headache, seizures, and focal neurologic signs.
8. May 16, 2024 - Learn about this potentially fatal condition associated with inflammation of the brain and what you can do to prevent it.
9. by MA Islam · 2022
10. DIAGNOSIS Acute adenovirus encephalitis.
11. Typically, symptoms that include nasal congestion, coryza and cough are often accompanied by systemic manifestations, such as generalized malaise, fever, chills ...
12. Adenoviruses are highly prevalent pathogens responsible for a wide range of clinical diseases, including respiratory tract infection, acute gastroenteritis, and conjunctivitis.
13. Dec 9, 2014 — Signs and Symptoms · Ninety percent of people with encephalitis have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, cough, and malaise.
14. October 19, 2023 - Rashes caused by viruses like adenovirus may look like blotches, spots, or bump.
15. by MA Islam · 2022

Obsolete Diagnostic Tests for Adenovirus Encephalitis

Adenovirus encephalitis, a rare but serious condition, has been diagnosed using various methods in the past. However, some of these tests are now considered obsolete due to advancements in medical technology and understanding of the disease.

• Brain Biopsy: Historically, the only definitive way to diagnose herpes simplex virus encephalitis (a related condition) was through brain biopsy [4]. While this method is still used in some cases, it is no longer a primary diagnostic tool for adenovirus encephalitis.
• Conventional PCR Methods: Conventional PCR methods, which were once widely used, are now considered less sensitive and specific compared to newer techniques [7]. These methods typically take 1-2 days to produce results and may not be as effective in detecting adenovirus DNA.

Current Diagnostic Approaches

In contrast, current diagnostic approaches for adenovirus encephalitis focus on more accurate and efficient methods:

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assays: PCR assays are now widely used to detect adenovirus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens [5]. These tests offer a rapid, specific, and sensitive means of diagnosis.
• Viral Load Testing: Viral load testing may also be required to confirm the diagnosis, as serological testing can sometimes be negative or indeterminate [6].

Recommendations

Given the advancements in diagnostic technology, it is essential to use current methods for diagnosing adenovirus encephalitis. The following recommendations are based on recent studies:

• Use of PCR Analysis: PCR analysis in CSF has increased the diagnostic yield in encephalitis cases [8].
• Submission of Multiple Samples: Submitting multiple samples, including respiratory and stool samples, in addition to CSF and blood samples, can improve diagnostic accuracy [9].

By adopting these current diagnostic approaches, healthcare professionals can provide more accurate and timely diagnoses for patients with adenovirus encephalitis.

References:

[1] RL DeBiasi (2004) - PCR has been widely used for detection of both DNA and RNA viruses in CSF. [5] T Lion (2014) - Diagnostic Screening. Conventional approaches to HAdV detection in affected samples... [7] XY Lei (2006) - Nucleic acid amplification tests (such as PCR) should be performed on CSF specimens... [8] E Vergadi (2022) - The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has increased the diagnostic yield in encephalitis cases; however, it may... [9] H Harvala (2018) - We recommend that respiratory and stool samples in addition to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples are submitted for EV testing from patients with...

Treatment Options for Adenovirus Encephalitis

Adenovirus encephalitis, a rare and serious condition caused by the adenovirus, has limited treatment options. While there is no specific medication to treat it, antiviral drugs have been used in some cases.

• Cidofovir: This is currently the most widely used antiviral drug for treating adenovirus infections (2). However, its effectiveness in treating encephalitis caused by adenovirus is not well established.
• Acyclovir: Although acyclovir is primarily used to treat herpes simplex virus infections, it has been used off

The differential diagnosis of adenovirus encephalitis involves considering various conditions that may present with similar symptoms. According to search results, the differential diagnosis of this condition is long and complex [3]. Frequently, the differential diagnosis is encephalitis versus encephalopathy [3].

In addition to these two conditions, other possible causes of adenovirus-related neurological manifestations include:

• Aseptic meningitis: a mild form of meningitis that can occur in response to viral infections, including adenovirus [6].
• Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE): a rare and severe form of encephalitis that can be caused by adenovirus infection [6].

It's worth noting that the diagnosis may require viral load testing, as serological testing may be negative or indeterminate [9]. A differential equation is an equation involving an unknown function y=f(x) and one or more of its derivatives. However, this concept does not seem to be directly related to the differential diagnosis of adenovirus encephalitis.

References:

• RL DeBiasi (2004)
• TA Nichols (2016)
• XY Lei (2006)
• [9]