Abstract
Herpes simplex gingivostomatitis is commonly seen in infants and younger children but rarely in adults. A rare case of herpes simplex encephalitis following herpes simplex gingivosomatitis is reported here. A 28-year-old male, suffering from high fever, pain of the oral cavity and dysphagia for 5 days, was admitted to our hospital. An examination of his oral cavity revealed an acute gingivostomatitis due to the initial infection of herpes simplex virus (type 1). Two days later, he experienced a disturbance of consciousness and frequent tonic convulsions. Emergency treatnment was immediately performed. In the cerebrospinal fluid, pleocytosis (mainly lymphocytosis) and increased protein content were observed. The titer of the HSV antibody, serologically determined by the complement fixation reaction, was 1:32. The diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis was confirmed by the above mentioned clinical course and the findings of CSF. Thus, adenin arabinoside (Ara-A) therapy was planned and performed. This therapy proved successful and he recovered completely. No recurrence and sequera have been observed in the three years following treatment.
