N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis, Post Herpes Encephalitis in Two Pediatric Cases.

Commonly, herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes infectious encephalitis among children. A neurological relapse after primary HSV encephalitis in the weeks or months after presentation is well recognized. Relapsing symptoms of post-HSV encephalitis can present either as a true relapse or an immune-mediated disorder. A relationship is predicted between immune-mediated disorder and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies. This study presents two cases of patients suffering from anti-NMDAR encephalitis that appeared after treatment for proven HSV encephalitis. The first patient was treated immediately after the presentation as autoimmune encephalitis and had an excellent outcome. The second patient had delayed initiation of treatment and suffered from intractable epilepsy and severe global developmental delay. An important role is played by recognizing anti-NMDAR encephalitis symptoms and its variable presentation for timely diagnosis and quick initiation of treatment for anti-NMDAR encephalitis, thus, improving the outcome for those patients.

Incidence and outcome of group B streptococcal invasive disease in Omani infants.

OBJECTIVES: Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection is a serious disease that continues to cause high morbidity and mortality. It is one of the leading cause of sepsis; particularly meningitis, in infants and young children all around the world. In this study, we aim to identify the incidence of GBS sepsis in Omani infants less than 3 months of age who were born at Royal Hospital and who presented with clinical sepsis and positive culture. In addition, we aim to describe the clinical presentation and complications noted on admission and then on follow-up visit. METHODS: This is an observational retrospective chart review study. It included all Omani infants (0-3 months) who were diagnosed to have GBS sepsis/meningitis from 2006 to 2016 at the Royal Hospital, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. RESULTS: There were 83,000 live births in the Royal Hospital over a period of 10 years. Thirty-eight babies had culture proven GBS infection, with an overall incidence rate of neonatal GBS of 0.46 per 1000 live births with 95% confidence intervals. There were no significant variations in the annual rates of infection during the study period, ranging from around 1-7 cases per year. Additional 5 cases of GBS sepsis presented to Royal Hospital are either through Emergency Department or as referrals from other hospitals, giving us a total of 43 cases of proven GBS infections. Out of the 43 cases, 8 were born prematurely (19%), either before (<34 weeks, n = 2) or during (34-36 weeks, n = 6). Term babies were 35 out of 43 with percentage of 81% of the total. Three died, resulting in a case mortality of 7.0%. CONCLUSION: Our GBS incidence is comparable to that of screened population internationally. At the time being, with the best available results, maternal screening might not seem cost effective in our current settings. A cost effective study is required before implemented a national screening programme in the Country. However, this research will definitely help in the process of any future plans of implantation of new guidelines, as it can be used as leading point for future prospective studies.