HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS ENCEPHALITIS IN A RENAL-TRANSPLANT PATIENT - DIAGNOSIS BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION DETECTION OF HSV DNA

A case of herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis with disseminated pr imary HSV infection in a renal transplant patient is described, The di agnosis of the disease was achieved by nested polymerase chain reactio n (PCR)-DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), Other diagnostic measures (i mmunoglobulin [lgl M and virological cultures both in blood and CSF) w ere negative, Blood IgG gave a false-positive signal, Although gancicl ovir is not the drug of choice, its concomitant administration in our patient as a prophylactic measure against OMV infection may have decre ased the usual severity normally expected in this kind of primary HSV infection, The subsequent increase in ganciclovir dose to full therape utic range, which was implemented before the diagnosis was achieved, l ed to the disappearance of symptoms, The detection of PCR-DNA in OSF w ill probably become the diagnostic method of choice, One of its great advantages, in addition to its diagnostic reliability, is that it may obviate the performance of many cerebral biopsies, (C) 1997 by the Nat ional Kidney Foundation, Inc.