Rheumatoid meningitis: report of two cases / Meningitis reumatoide. Informe de dos casos

ABSTRACT Rheumatoid meningitis (RM) is a rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RM mimics many other conditions such as subdural empyema, unsteady gait, focal brain dysfunction, stroke, relapsing-remitting motor signs, headache, neuropsychiatric disorders, seizures, parkinsonism, and meningeal tumors. RM is considered a disease with poor prognosis. However, cases reported in the last decade show a good outcome. We report two cases with a favorable outcome. A 48-year-old man with a three-year history of RA admitted for headache, sensory disturbances, and speech difficulties. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a left parietal subdural laminar lesion with restricted diffusion and a small left superior frontal acute infarction. A subdural empyema was originally suspected, and antimicrobials were prescribed. A follow-up MRI did not show progression of the subdural lesion and the patient was discharged 14 days after admission without focal deficits. A 44-year-old female patient with two years of seronegative RA was admitted for severe headache, confusion, nausea and vomiting. Brain MRI showed subtle supra and infratentorial leptomeningeal involvement and a left cerebellar acute infarct. A meningoencephalitis due to etanercept was initially thought and treated with dexamethasone. The patient was discharged but had to be admitted again and a new MRI showed a progression of the leptomeningeal involvement. She worsened and required endotracheal intubation. Cyclophosphamide was started and the patient became asymptomatic three months later. We propose that treatment should not be delayed waiting a biopsy when a diagnosis of RM is made and after a cerebrospinal fluid infection has been ruled out.

Meningitis reumatoide es una complicación rara de la artritis reumatoide. Esta enfermedad simula varias afecciones neurológicas, como empiema subdural, marcha inestable, accidente cerebrovascular, signos motores recurrentes-remitentes, cefalea, trastornos neuropsiquiátricos, convulsiones, parkinsonismo y tumores de las meninges. Es considerada de mal pronóstico, sin embargo, casos en la última década muestran lo contrario. Informamos dos casos con buen pronóstico. Un hombre de 48 años con tres años de artritis reumatoide ingresado por cefalea, trastornos sensoriales y dificultades del habla. La resonancia magnética (RM) cerebral mostró una lesión laminar subdural parietal izquierda y un pequeño infarto agudo frontal izquierdo. Inicialmente se sospechó un empiema subdural y se trató con antibióticos. Una RM de control no mostró progresión de la lesión subdural y el paciente fue dado de alta 14 días después del ingreso sin déficit focales. Una mujer de 44 años con dos años de artritis reumatoide seronegativa fue ingresada por cefalea, confusión náuseas y vómitos. La RM cerebral mostró un compromiso sutil leptomeníngeo supra e infratentorial y un infarto agudo cerebeloso izquierdo. Inicialmente se consideró una meningoencefalitis debido a etanercept y se trató con dexametasona. Fue dada de alta pero debió ingresar al hospital nuevamente y una nueva RM mostró progresión del compromiso leptomeníngeo. Ella se agravó y requirió intubación endotraqueal. Se inició ciclofosfamida y la paciente se hizo asintomática tres meses después. Proponemos que el tratamiento no debe retrasarse esperando una biopsia de meninges cuando se realiza un diagnóstico clínico de meningitis reumatoide, después de descartar infecciones meníngeas.

La brucelosis en el diagnóstico diferencial de las meningitis asépticas: a propósito de un caso

Aseptic meningitis represents a diagnostic challenge for the clinician. Cytological and chemical parameters are key in the differential diagnosis. Hypoglycorrhachia is a strong predictor of a bacterial origin for aseptic meningitis. We report a 44-year-old male with a history of recurrent febrile headaches admitted with fever and delirium. The initial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed low glucose levels. Magnetic resonance imaging did not show abnormalities. The patient was discharged but was admitted again three weeks later with fever, headache and a stiff neck. The CSF was inflammatory with low glucose levels. Serology for brucellosis was positive. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone and rifampicin with a good clinical response.

Ibuprofen-induced aseptic meningitis: a case report / Meningite asséptica induzida por ibuprofeno: um caso clínico

ABSTRACT Objective: To report a case of a male adolescent with the diagnosis of ibuprofen-induced meningitis. We discuss themain causes of drug-induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM) and highlight the importance of early recognition of DIAM, sothat the offending drug can be withdrawn, and recurrences prevented. Only few DIAM cases have been reported in pediatric age. Case description: A healthy 15-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with headache, nausea, dizziness, fever, conjunctival hyperemia and blurred vision 30 minutes after ibuprofen-intake. During his stay, he developed emesis and neck stiffness. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis excluded infectious causes, and DIAM was considered. He totally recovered after drug withdrawal. Comments: DIAM is a rare entity, that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an aseptic meningitis. The major causative agents are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly ibuprofen. Suspicion is made by the chronologic link between drug intake and the beginning of symptoms, but infectious causes should always be ruled out.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descreve-se o caso de um adolescente do sexo masculino com diagnóstico de meningite asséptica por ibuprofeno. Discutem-se as causas de meningite asséptica induzida por medicamentos (MAIM) e a importância do reconhecimento precoce dessa situação, para que a medicação envolvida seja suspensa e as recorrências prevenidas. Poucos casos foram descritos em idade pediátrica. Descrição do caso: Adolescente de 15 anos, gênero masculino, saudável, procurou o serviço de urgência por cefaleia, náuseas, tonturas, febre, hiperemia conjuntival e visão desfocada 30 minutos após o uso de ibuprofeno. Durante a internação, iniciou vômitos e rigidez na nuca. A análise do líquido cefalorraquidiano excluiu causas infeciosas, e considerou-se como diagnóstico mais provável a MAIM. A recuperação foi total após a suspensão do medicamento. Comentários: A MAIM é rara, mas deve ser considerada no diagnóstico diferencial de meningite asséptica. A principal causa são os anti-inflamatórios não esteroides, principalmente o ibuprofeno. A suspeita clínica é evocada pela relação temporal entre o uso do medicamento e o início dos sintomas, mas as causas infeciosas devem ser sempre excluídas.

Meningitis aséptica en pacientes con parotiditis viral durante un brote epidémico / Aseptic meningitis associated to mumps during an epidemic outbreak

Resumen Comunicamos dos casos de meningitis aséptica asociadas a parotiditis viral en mujeres de edad mediana, una de ellas embarazada. Ambas se presentaron pocos días después del aumento de volumen parotídeo, con cefalea, fiebre y signos meníngeos, pleocitosis de predominio mononuclear en el LCR y resultados negativos para otras causas. La parotiditis fue confirmada por serología IgG e IgM positiva. Las pacientes tuvieron una evolución favorable con desaparición total de sus síntomas. Ambos casos ocurrieron durante un brote regional de parotiditis. La meningitis aséptica es una complicación frecuente de las parotiditis. Su diagnóstico puede lograrse por el aumento de volumen glandular precedente, la pleocitosis de predominio mononuclear en el LCR y una serología IgM e IgG positiva o detección genómica por RPC en muestra urinaria o salival. Esta complicación es más probable que sea observada durante brotes de parotiditis viral.

We report two cases of acute aseptic meningitis associated to mumps in middle-aged women, one pregnant. Both presented shortly after parotid gland enlargement. Neurological complications were suspected by headache, fever and meningeal signs and confirmed by CSF findings (mononuclear predominant pleocytosis) with negative results for alternative causes. Mumps were confirmed by positive IgM and IgG serology. Both patients were discharged with a favorable evolution and complete disappearance of symptoms. Cases were concurrent with a regional mumps outbreak. Conclusions: Aseptic meningitis is a rare mumps-associated neurological complication. Its diagnostic can be achieved by precedent parotid enlargement, mononuclear pleocytosis in the CSF and positive IgM and IgG serology or viral detection by PCR in urine or salivary samples. This complication would be more probably observed during mumps outbreaks.

Recurrent aseptic meningitis as an initial clinical presentation of primary Sjögren's syndrome

BACKGROUND: The neurological manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) are nonspecific and may precede the onset of sicca symptoms. Hence, the diagnosis of SjS is often delayed. Recurrent aseptic meningitis is an uncommon neurological manifestation of primary SjS; only few cases have been reported in the medical literature. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old woman was admitted for recurrent aseptic meningitis. The patient had a history of two episodes of aseptic meningitis, which had occurred 12 and 7 years before this presentation. The patient had overt sicca symptoms for 5 years. SjS was diagnosed based on the results of serum autoantibody tests, Schirmer's test, and salivary scintigraphy. We concluded that recurrent aseptic meningitis occurred as an initial presentation of primary SjS. CONCLUSION: This case suggest that SjS should be included in the differential diagnosis of recurrent aseptic meningitis.

Características clínicas, epidemiológicas y manejo terapéutico de la meningitis pediátrica en dos instituciones de Medellín, Colombia / Clinical, epidemiological characteristics and therapeutic management of pediatric meningitis in two institutions of Medellin, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: La meningitis es una emergencia médica que requiere diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno para evitar complicaciones. Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas, epidemiológicas y el manejo terapéutico de meningitis en la primera infancia. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal que evaluó menores hasta los seis años de edad con meningitis bacteriana o aséptica en dos centros de Medellín, 2010 - 2013. Se recolectaron características clínicas, paraclínicas y terapéuticas. Las variables cualitativas se describieron mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas y las cuantitativas con mediana y rango intercuartílico. Se exploró diferencias en las características de los pacientes según grupo de edad, mediante la prueba Chi-cuadrado o Fisher. Resultados: De 56 pacientes, 33 (58,9%) eran del sexo masculino; 26 (46,4%) presentaron meningitis bacteriana, 20 (35,7%) aséptica y 10 (17,9%) indeterminada; 36 (64,3%) fueron mayores de dos meses, con manifestaciones clínicas inespecíficas (fiebre e irritabilidad). Se aislaron principalmente microorganismos Gram negativos en hemocultivos y Gram positivos en líquido cefalorraquídeo. El tratamiento antibiótico más frecuente fue cefalosporinas de tercera-generación en 13 (65%) menores de 2 meses y 28 (77,8%) mayores. Fallecieron dos pacientes y seis presentaron complicaciones. Conclusiones: la meningitis bacteriana fue la más frecuente en menores de un año. El tratamiento combinado es ideal para garantizar un adecuado cubrimiento y evitar complicaciones.

Abstract Introduction: Meningitis is a medical emergency that requires early diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications. Objective: To determine the clinical, epidemiological characteristics and therapeutic management of meningitis in early childhood. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study, which evaluated children up to six years old with bacterial or aseptic meningitis from 2010 to 2013, was conducted in two centers in Medellin. Clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic characteristics were collected. The qualitative variables were described by absolute and relative frequencies, and the quantitative ones with median and interquartile range. Differences in patient characteristics according to age group were explored, using the Chi-square or Fisher test. Results: From the 56 patients studied, 33 (58.9%) were male; 26 (46.4%) showed bacterial meningitis, 20 (35.7%) aseptic one and 10 (17.9%) indeterminate one; 36 (64.3%) were older than two months, with non-specific clinical manifestations (fever and irritability). Gram-negative microorganisms were mainly isolated in blood cultures and Gram positive in cerebrospinal fluid. The most common antibiotic treatment was third-generation cephalosporins in 13 (65%) children who were less than 2 months and 28 (77.8%) in older ones. Two patients died and six children presented complications. Conclusions: Bacterial meningitis was the most frequent in children under one year old. Combined treatment is ideal to ensure adequate coverage and avoid complications.

Quiste dermoide intracraneal con rotura espontánea. Reporte de caso / Intracranial Dermoid Cyst with Spontaneous Rupture. A Case Report

Introducción: Los quistes dermoides son tumores raros, que se originan por la inclusión de elementos de origen ectodérmico en el momento del cierre del tubo neural durante la embriogénesis. Su contenido incluye una variedad de derivados del ectodermo como glándulas apocrinas, sudor, quistes sebáceos, folículos pilosos, epitelio escamoso y dientes. Los síntomas que generan estos tumores benignos son tanto por el efecto de masa sobre las estructuras neurovasculares adyacentes (cefalea, convulsiones, hidrocefalia, isquemia), como por la irritación meníngea en los casos de ruptura hacia el espacio subaracnoideo. Objetivo: Presentar el curso clínico de paciente femenino de 21 años de edad, que acude a la consulta de neurocirugía con clínica de cefalea y síncope. Presentación del caso: Paciente con rotura espontánea de un quiste dermoide intracraneal que consultaba previamente por clínica de cefalea, a la cual se asocia más recientemente episodios de alteración de la conciencia, realizándose estudio de neuroimágenes con evidencia de quiste dermoide intracraneal roto, el cual fue manejado quirúrgicamente con resolución exitosa de la sintomatología. Conclusiones: Se considera relevante el caso teniendo en cuenta lo inusual de la patología según la epidemiología consultada, además este reporte de caso, permite sensibilizar al personal de salud sobre esta patología tumoral la cual puede llegar a la cura en caso de resección quirúrgica completa, con resolución de la clínica...(AU)

Introduction: Dermoid cysts are rare tumors, which can originate from the inclusion of elements of ectodermal origin at the time of neural tube closure during embryogenesis. Its content includes a wide variety of ectodermal derivatives such as apocrine glands, sweat, sebaceous cysts, hair follicles, squamous epithelium and teeth. The symptoms generated by these benign tumors are due to the mass effect on adjacent neurovascular structures (headache, seizures, hydrocephalus, and ischemia), as well as meningeal irritation in cases of rupture into the subarachnoid space. Objective: To present the clinical course of a 21-year-old female patient who visits the neurosurgery clinic with syncope and headaches. Case report: A patient with spontaneous rupture of an intracranial dermoid cyst who previously looked for medical attention because of headaches; this medical record was associated with most episodes of altered consciousness. Therefore, a neuroimaging study was performed and showed evidence of ruptured intracranial dermoid cyst, which was managed surgically with a successful resolution of the symptomatology. Conclusions: This case is considered as relevant considering the unusual nature of the pathology according to the epidemiology consulted. Moreover, this case report allows the health staff to be aware of this tumor pathology, which can reach the cure in case of a complete surgical resection, with a resolution from the clinic...(AU)

Introdução: os cisto dermoides são tumores raros, que se originam da inclusão de elementos de origem ectodérmica no momento do fechamento do tubo neural durante a embriogênese. Seu conteúdo inclui uma variedade de derivados ectodérmicos, como glândulas apócrinas, suores, tumores sebáceos, folículos pilosos, epitélio escamoso e dentes. Os sintomas gerados por estes tumores benignos são devidos ao efeito de massa nas estruturas neuro-vasculares adjacentes (dor de cabeça, convulsões, hidrocefalia, isquemia), bem como irritação meníngea em casos de ruptura no espaço subaracnóideo. Objetivo: Apresentar o curso clínico de uma paciente de 21 anos de idade, que visita à clínica de neurocirurgia com dor de cabeça e síncope. Relato de caso: Paciente com ruptura espontânea de um cisto dermoide intracraniano que havia consultado previamente uma clínica por causa de dor de cabeça, na qual a maioria dos episódios de consciência alterada estava associada e um estudo de neuroimagem com evidência de cisto dermoide intracraniano rompido, foi realizado um tratamento cirurgicamente com resolução bem sucedida da sintomatologia. Conclusões: O caso é considerado relevante considerando a natureza incomum da patologia de acordo com a epidemiologia consultada. Além disso, este relato de caso permite que o pessoal de saúde seja sensibilizado sobre esta patologia tumoral, que pode atingir a cura em caso de resseção cirúrgica completa, com resolução da clínica...(AU)

Results of Isotope Cisternography in 175 Patients with a Suspected Hydrocephalus / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a syndrome characterized by gait disturbance, memory impairment and urinary incontinence. The isotope cisternography (ICG) became less useful because of low accuracy and complications. We tried to evaluate the safety and value of the ICG. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on ICG of 175 consecutive patients with a suspected hydrocephalus. We classified the ICG into four types by the ventricular reflux and circulation time. The ventricular size was measured by Evans index and the width of the third ventricle. RESULTS: There were three complications including one case of paraplegia. Type 4 was the most common type, observed in 53%. Type 3 (33%), type 2 (7%), and type 1 (7%) were observed less often. Type 4 was more common in patients with large ventricles. Types of the ICG were not related to the causes of hydrocephalus, gender, or age of the patients. Shunting was more frequently performed in type 4 (71%), compared to type 1 (17%), type 2 (33%), and type 3 (46%). Surgery was more common when the cause was vascular. After the shunt surgery, 33.0% were graded as the improved. Although there were some improvements even in the not-improved patients, they still needed many helps. The improvement was related to the preoperative state. CONCLUSION: ICG may bring a serious complication, however the incidence is very low. Although the predictability of response rate on the shunting is doubtful, ICG is a cheap and useful tool to select surgical candidates in NPH.

Pediatric Bacterial and Aseptic Meningitis in Daegu

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and causative organisms of meningitis in the Daegu region and seek a useful tool for the early prediction of bacterial meningitis in children. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 115 pediatric patients diagnosed with bacterial or aseptic meningitis at Yeungnam university hospital in Daegu from March 2012 to July 2013. We evaluated their clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, clinical courses, bacterial meningitis scores and complications. RESULTS: The subjects included 106 with aseptic meningitis and 9 with bacterial meningitis. At the time of visit, fever was the most frequent symptom, followed by headache, vomiting and neck stiffness. In cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, white blood cell (WBC) count were higher in the bacterial meningitis group (1423.8+/-1980.4 vs. 120.0+/-161.6 mg/dL). Mean CSF protein was 219.4+/-183.6 mg/dL in bacterial meningitis and 42.4+/-27.0 mg/dL in aseptic meningitis (P <0.001). Bacterial meningitis score (BMS) were higher in the group with bacterial meningitis. Abnormal radiological findings were found in 44% of the group with bacterial meningitis. CONCLUSION: Although the clinical features between the groups were similar, the CSF analysis revealed significant differences statistically. Furthermore, BMS could be helpful to predict bacterial meningitis in children. During the outbreak of aseptic meningitis, it might reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and antibiotic treatments.

Neuro-Behçet: differential diagnosis of recurrent meningitis / Presentación de enfermedad de Behçet como meningitis recurrente: Informe de un caso

Behçet disease is a systemic inflammatory perivasculitis characterized by recurrent episodes oforal and genital ulcers associated with skin and ocular lesions. Neurological involvement occurs in 5 to 10% of the cases, and isolated meningeal involvement is very uncommon. We report a 21 years old man with a Behçet disease and a history of acute meningeal syndrome in two previous crises and meningoencephalitis in three others. He reported a history of conjunctivitis and oral and genital ulcers. On examination, he presented oral aphthoid lesions, macular edema, involvement of cranial nerves, pyramidal signs and meningeal irritation. The cell count in cerebrospinal fluid was 1800 cells/mm³, with polymorphonuclear predominance. Magnetic resonance imaging showed lesions in basal ganglia and the brainstem. The patient improved dramatically after intravenous steroid therapy.

La enfermedad de Behçet is una perivasculitis sistémica inflamatoria caracterizada por episodios recurrentes de úlceras orales y genitales asociadas a lesiones cutáneas y oculares. El 5 a 10% de los casos tiene compromiso neurológico y el compromiso meníngeo aislado es muy poco común. Presentamos un hombre de 21 años con enfermedad de Behçet y una historia de síndrome meníngeo en dos crisis previas y meningoencefalitis en tres otras. El paciente tenía una historia de conjuntivitis y úlceras orales y genitales. Al examen se encontraron lesiones aftosas, edema macular, compromiso de nervios craneanos, signos piramidales e irritación meníngea. El recuento celular del líquido cefalorraquídeo fue de 1.800 células/ml con predominancia polimorfonuclear. La resonancia magnética mostró lesiones en los ganglios basales y tronco encefálico. El paciente mejoró dramáticamente con el uso de corticoides endovenosos.

Clinical Presentations and the Bacterial Meningitis Score in Children with Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Pleocytosis

PURPOSE: The differential diagnosis between aseptic meningitis and bacterial meningitis in children is often very difficult. The current study was performed to investigate the clinical presentations, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the Bacterial Meningitis Score (BMS) in children presenting with CSF pleocytosis (> or =10 WBC/mm3). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of children (age three months-15 years) with CSF pleocytosis between January 2012 to January 2013 at Gangnam Severance Hospital. RESULTS: The dominant clinical symptoms were fever (92.5%), headache (87.5%), and vomiting (75%). Neck stiffness was noted in 20% of the patients. Three patients who were younger than three years old could not properly present meningeal signs. The majority (36 patients, 90%) were hospitalized, with a median stay of three days. There was no one who had bacterial meningitis. The BMS was calculated for all patients. Among them, 27 patients (67.5%) showed a BMS of 0 which represents very low risk for bacterial meningitis and the remaining 13 patients (32.5%) showed a BMS of 1. CONCLUSION: The BMS may be helpful to guide clinical decision making for the management of children with CSF pleocytosis. Additional multicenter studies in Korea are now needed to evaluate whether the BMS can be used to safely reduce hospital admission and antibiotic use for children with aseptic meningitis.

Diagnóstico molecular de las infecciones neurológicas por herpes virus en pacientes de la ciudad de Medellín / Molecular diagnosis of neurological herpes virus infection in patients from Medellin / Diagnóstico molecular das infecções neurológicas por herpes virus em pacientes da cidade de Medellín

Objetivo: describir la frecuencia, y el comportamiento clínico y de laboratorio de las infecciones por citomegalovirus (CMV), virus Epstein-Barr (EBV) y virus herpes simplex 1 y 2 (HSV 1 y HSV 2) en el sistema nervioso central tanto en pacientes inmunocomprometidos como inmunocompetentes. Metodología: se analizaron 204 líquidos cefalorraquídeos con el uso de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR, de su sigla en inglés) en tiempo real como herramienta diagnóstica molecular para la detección de infección. Resultados: un 16% de los líquidos cefalorraquídeos es positivo para alguno de los virus estudiados, el EBV se detectó en el 22.8% de los casos positivos y se ubica por encima de las infecciones ocasionadas por HSV y CMV. El 61.9% de los pacientes con resultado positivo tenía algún tipo de inmunocompromiso. onclusiones: la utilización de la PCR en tiempo real permite establecer el agente causal de infección en el sistema nervioso central y es de gran ayuda en los pacientes inmunocomprometidos en los que las variaciones clínicas y de laboratorio no son concluyentes. Esto permitiría la implementación de una terapia específica.

Objective: To describe the frequency and the clinical and laboratory characteristics of infections with cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr (EBV) and herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV 1 and HSV 2) in central nervous system in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Methods: A total of 204 cerebrospinal fluid samples were tested for CMV, EBV or HSV 1 and 2 using real time PCR as a molecular diagnostic tool for detection of infection. Results: Sixteen percent of cerebrospinal fluid was positive for at least one of the viruses, and Epstein Barr virus was detected in 22.8% of cases, which is above the infections caused by HSV and CMV. 61.9% of positive patients had some form of immune compromise. Conclusions: The use of real-time PCR identifies the causative agent of infection in the central nervous system and is of great help in immunocompromised patients where clinical and laboratory variations are inconclusive; this will also help to implement a specific therapy.

Objetivo: descrever a frequência, e o comportamento clínico e de laboratório das infecções por citomegalovírus (CMV), vírus Epstein-Barr (EBV) e vírus herpes simplex 1 e 2 (HSV 1 e HSV 2) no sistema nervoso central tanto em pacientes imuno-comprometidos como imuno-competentes. Metodologia: analisaram-se 204 líquidos cefalorraquídianos utilizando a reação em corrente da polimerase (PCR, de sua sigla em virilhas) em tempo real como ferramenta diagnostica molecular para a detecção de infecção. Resultados: um 16% dos líquidos cefalorraquídianos foram positivos para algum dos vírus estudados, o EBV se detectou no 22.8% dos casos positivos localizando-se acima das infecções ocasionadas por HSV e CMV. O 61.9% dos pacientes com resultado positivo tinha algum tipo de imuno-compromisso. Conclusões: a utilização da PCR em tempo real permite estabelecer o agente causal de infecção no sistema nervoso central sendo de grande ajuda nos pacientes inmunocomprometidos onde as variações clínicas e de laboratório não são concludentes e isto permitiria a implementação de uma terapia específica.

Identification and genetic characterization of Coxsackievirus B5 isolated from an outbreak of aseptic meningitis / 中华传染病杂志

ObjectiveTo identify the pathogen of an aseptic meningitis outbreak which occurred in Linyi City of Shandong Province during the summer of 2009,and to analyze the genetic variations of Coxsackicvirus B5 (CVB5) isolates.MethodsForty-two cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) specimens were collected from aseptic meningitis cases and virus isolation was performed. The viral RNA was extracted and amplified from the positive specimens using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The partial VP1 coding region was purified and sequenced. The phylogenetic trees based on VP1 sequences were constructed among CVB5 isolates and those in GenBank.ResultsSeventeen enteroviruse strains were isolated from 42 CSF samples with 40.5％ isolation positive rate. All these strains were identified as CVB5 using both microneutralization test and molecular typing methods. Homology comparisons indicated that the nucleotide acid identities and amino acid sequence identities were 92.3 ％- 100.0％ and 98.7 ％- 100.0％,respectively among these CVB5 isolate.s,and compared with the Faulkner prototype strain,which were 81.0％-82.4％ and 96.6％97.0％,respectively.Phylogenetic analysis on VP1 sequences showed that all CVB5 could be separated into four genogroups of A,B,C and D.Isolates of this outbreak belonged to genogroup D.Interestingly,two distinct genogroups in the phylogenetic tree were observed among the 17 isolates.Conclusions CVB5 is responsible for the outbreak of aseptic meningitis in Linyi City of Shandong Province,China. The genetic diversity is high among the isolates and all belong to genogroup D.

Transmission of Seasonal Outbreak of Childhood Enteroviral Aseptic Meningitis and Hand-foot-mouth Disease

This study was conducted to evaluate the modes of transmission of aseptic meningitis (AM) and hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) using a case-control and a case-crossover design. We recruited 205 childhood AM and 116 HFMD cases and 170 non-enteroviral disease controls from three general hospitals in Gyeongju, Pohang, and Seoul between May and August in both 2002 and 2003. For the case-crossover design, we established the hazard and non-hazard periods as week one and week four before admission, respectively. In the case-control design, drinking water that had not been boiled, not using a water purifier, changes in water quality, and contact with AM patients were significantly associated with the risk of AM (odds ratio [OR]=2.8, 2.9, 4.6, and 10.9, respectively), while drinking water that had not been boiled, having a non-water closet toilet, changes in water quality, and contact with HFMD patients were associated with risk of HFMD (OR=3.3, 2.8, 6.9, and 5.0, respectively). In the case-crossover design, many life-style variables such as contact with AM or HFMD patients, visiting a hospital, changes in water quality, presence of a skin wound, eating out, and going shopping were significantly associated with the risk of AM (OR=18.0, 7.0, 8.0, 2.2, 22.3, and 3.0, respectively) and HFMD (OR=9.0, 37.0, 11.0, 12.0, 37.0, and 5.0, respectively). Our findings suggest that person-to-person contact and contaminated water could be the principal modes of transmission of AM and HFMD.

Manifestaciones neurológicas de la granulomatosis de Wegener: Caso clínico / Neurological involvement in Wegener's granulomatosis: Report of one case

Wegener's granulomatosis is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis that affects medium size and small vessels. Neurological involvement occurs in 22 percent to 54 percent of patients, mainly in the form of mononeuritis multiplex. Central nervous system involvement is reported in only 2 percent to 8 percent of the cases. We report a 42-year-old male who presented with headache, diplopia, third and sixth cranial nerve palsies and íeft eye amaurosis associated to mass located in the íeft Meckel cavum and diffuse meningeal involvement. A biopsy of the mass disclosed a chronic granulomatous necrotizing inflammation with Langhans giant cells. A chest CAT scan showed three cavitated lung nodules and ANCA antibodies were positive in a titer of 1:80. Treatment with steroid and cyclophosphamide was started and cranial nerve palsies resolved and the number and size of lung nodules decreased. The patient was lost from follow up.

Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid(CSF) Nitric Oxide, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1 alpha and Lactoferrin Levels in Aseptic Meningitis / 소아과

PURPOSE: The pathologic mechanisms of central nervous system(CNS) injuries in human meningitis are not yet completely understood. Recent studies indicate that the host inflammatory responses are as important in brain damage as the infecting organisms and toxins. There have been some reports on the relationship of nitric oxide(NO), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha ), and lactoferrin in bacterial meningitis, but few reports in aseptic meningitis. Thus, we investigated the concentrations of NO, MIP-1 alpha and lactoferrin in cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) and serum of patients with aseptic meningitis and control subjects and evaluated their relationship with other parameters of meningitis. METHODS: CSF and blood were obtained from 25 subjects with aseptic meningitis and 15 control subjects. After centrifugation, supernatants were stored at -70degrees C and we assayed the concentrations of NO, MIP-1 alpha and lactoferrin with the ELISA method. There were no patients with neurologic sequelae after being recovered from aseptic meningitis. RESULTS: Concentrations of CSF and serum NO, MIP-1 alpha were not increased in aseptic meningitis subjects compared to control subjects. Concentration of CSF lactoferrin was significantly elevated in patients with aseptic meningitis and concentration of serum lactoferrin was significantly decreased in patients with aseptic meningitis compared with those in control subjects(P<0.05). CSF lactoferrin level was positively correlated with CSF WBC counts(rs=0.449, P=0.007), especially with neutrophil counts(rs=0.574, P<0.001) and CSF protein level(rs=0.508, P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Lactoferrin plays an important role in aseptic meningitis and may be released from neutrophils recruited from blood to the CSF through breakdown of blood-brain barrier. NO and MIP-1 alpha may not be important factors in the pathogenesis of aseptic meningitis without neurologic sequelae.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for epilepsy during the acute phase of aseptic meningitis / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical features and risk factors for epilepsy during the acute phase of aseptic meningitis. Methods 138 cases of aseptic meningitis with complete clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Among them 21 had seizures, and 117 had not. All of them were inpatients in the same period after meningitis. Based on a standardized questionnaire, a database was established with Microsoft Access 2002 including 51 indexes and some subindexes. Univariate analysis and nonconditional multivariate stepwise logistic regression were carried out based on the summarization of the characters of clinical seizure. Results Fourteen cases (66.7%) manifested generalized seizures in those patients with epilepsy. Seventeen patients (80.1%) experienced epilepsy within 2 weeks after meningitis. The independent risk factors for seizures during the acute phase of aseptic meningitis were the increased contents of cerebrospinal fluid protein (OR=19.40), raised intracranial pressure (OR=8.848), and low-voltage activity in electroencephalogram (OR=5.039). Conclusions Generalized seizure is the major type of epilepsy induced by acute aseptic meningitis. Epilepsy occurred within 2 weeks in most patients with meningitis and seizures. High level of cerebrospinal fluid protein, raised intracranial pressure and low-voltage activity in electroencephalogram were the main predictive risk factors for epilepsy during the acute phase of aseptic meningitis.

Two Cases of Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis Accompanied by Aseptic Meningitis

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a benign disorder of the lymph node which should be differentiated from other types of lymphadenitis or malignant lymphoma. The most common presentation includes fever and cervical lym-phadenopathy .The course is invariably benign and spontaneous resolution usually occurs within 4 to 6 months. The diagnosis is confirmed by characteristic pathological findings of the involved lymph node. The involvement of the ner-vous system is known to be rare. We report two patients with histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis accompanied by aseptic meningitis. In one patient, both diseases developed simultaneously and in the other patient, histiocytic necrotiz-ing lymphadenitis was followed by aseptic meningitis 2 months later.

The role of the enteroviruses in the etiology of aseptic meningitis

Direct isolation of the virus from the cerebrospinal fluid in 46 out of 100 consecutive cases labeled with the clinical diagnosis of aseptic meningitis undertaken over a period of 29 months from March 1964 to July 1966 is here reported. In all of them, tissue culture using primary monkey kidney cells was employed. All those negative in tissue culture were inoculated in suckling mice. Of the 46 strains of enteroviruses isolated, the Coxsackie group (Types A9, B1, and B4) accounts for 28 or 61; followed by polioviruses (Types 1, 2 and 3) in 22 and ECHO viruses (Types 7 and 14) in 17. Coxackie group B Type 1 virus, poliovirus Type 1 and ECHO virus type 14 were the predominant types in each of the three groups in each year of the study. However, Coxackie B Type 1 comprised the most frequent type isolated during the whole period of studyAmong the different age groups studied, the viruses were mostly isolated in children 15 years and below in 98 with Coxsackie group B predominating. The polioviruses were encountered mostly in the 1-4 and 5-9 age groups. These findings were constant from year to year showing a distinct pattern. The frequency of isolating the ECHO virus, on the other hand, varied greatlyAs far as it can be ascertained, this is the first time that the causal relation of the enteroviruses with sporadic cases of aseptic meningitis has been established in the Philippines with the Coxsackie, polio and ECHO viruses as the most frequently encountered in that order. From the figures on the frequency of enteroviruses association, it appears that aseptic meningitis is a syndrome of diverse etiology associated most frequently with the members of the enterovirus groupWith this new knowledge, the clinician may now be able to explain why the group manifesting signs and symptoms of aseptic meningitis does not respond to antibiotic therapy. (Summary)