Maladies neuroinfectieuses

Abstrait

H1N1 Associated Encephalopathy in an Adult: Response to Intravenous Immunoglobulin Supporting an Autoimmune Pathogenesis

Ibrahim Imam

Background: Influenza H1N1 infection in adults is rare and neurological involvement has been reported in only a few cases. Case report: We present a young woman whose initial diagnosis was viral encephalitis because she presented with headache, confusion and seizures. She was admitted and treated with acyclovir, ceftriaxone and phenytoin but however deteriorated. She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where she was intubated and sedated. She was then treated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) on the presumptive diagnosis of autoimmune encephalopathy. Influenza H1N1 infection was not considered as a diagnosis but her routine viral serology obtained during admission showed a rising titre to Influenza H1N1. Conclusion: Influenza H1N1 encephalopathy is rare in adults. This report supports an autoimmune pathogenesis.