Viral aetiology and clinico-epidemiological features of acute encephalitis syndrome in eastern India

Abstract

This study reports clinico-epidemiological features and viral agents causing acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in the eastern Indian region through hospital-based case enrolment during April 2011 to July 2012. Blood and CSF samples of 526 AES cases were investigated by serology and/or PCR. Viral aetiology was identified in 91 (17·2%) cases. Herpes simplex virus (HSV; types I or II) was most common (16·1%), followed by measles (2·6%), Japanese encephalitis virus (1·5%), dengue virus (0·57%), varicella zoster virus (0·38%) and enteroviruses (0·19%). Rash, paresis and cranial nerve palsies were significantly higher (P < 0·05) with viral AES. Case-fatality rates were 10·9% and 6·2% in AES cases with and without viral aetiology, respectively. Simultaneous infection of HSV I and measles was observed in seven cases. This report provides the first evidence on viral aetiology of AES viruses from eastern India showing dominance of HSV that will be useful in informing the public health system.

Detection of Japanese Encephalitis Virus and Herpes Simplex Virus in Aes Cases by Elisa and PCR in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Eastern India

“…Majority of cases belonged to < 15 years of age group (80%) which was similar to other studies conducted by Reena et al ( 2008, 67.5%) and Rathore et al (2014, 81%) [7,19]. Panagariya et al (2001) found AES was more common in pa ents of age > 40 years and < 20 years, male: Female ra o was 2:1 which is in accordance to our study where male to female ra o showed 2.1:1 with male preponderance [20].…”

“…In our study, 8 (8.9%) samples were tested posi ve for Herpes simplex virus 1&2, in PCR assay, which is similar to the studies by Beig et al (2010, 10.5%) [26], while being in contrast to studies conducted by Rathore et al (2014, 16.1%) [19]. Similarly 8 (8.9%) samples were found to be posi ve in ELISA assay which was in contrast to previous studies by Hanada et al (1988, 22.5%) [27].…”

Scrub Typhus Leading to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, Assam, India

“…Assam, a northeastern state in India, is recognized as an endemic zone for acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), especially that caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). However, the etiology of >50% of the AES cases in Assam remains unrecognized ( 4 ) . In this study, we aimed to determine the contribution of scrub typhus to AES in this region.…”

Comparison of the Demographic and Laboratory Profiles of Patients with Aseptic Meningitis and Encephalitis: Significance of Age and C-reactive Protein

“…However, in contrast to our results, a previous study revealed that aseptic encephalitis occurred more frequently in young adults despite of no direct comparison in age of onset between aseptic meningitis and encephalitis patients. 23 This discrepancy may be caused by different objects with variable viral pathogens. To confirm our results, identification of the viral pathogens may be needed.…”