Fatma Ben Abid1, Mohammed Abukhattab2, Hafedh Ghazouani3, Obada Khalil2, Ahmed Gohar2, Hussam Al Soub4, Muna Al Maslamani4, Abdullatif Al Khal4, Eman Al Masalamani5, Said Al Dhahry6, Samar Hashim2, Faraj Howadi2, Adeel A Butt4. 1. Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: fabid@hamad.qa. 2. Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. 3. Department of Bioinformatics, Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. 4. Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA and Doha, Qatar. 5. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. 6. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Section of Virology and Molecular Biology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) viral infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. No data are available regarding their epidemiology in Qatar. DESIGN: We retrospectively evaluated all cerebrospinal fluid findings from January 2011-March 2015 at Hamad Medical Corporation. Those with abnormal CSF finding were included in our study. We excluded those with missing medical records, no clinical evidence of viral CNS infection, or proven bacterial, fungal or tuberculosis CNS infection. CNS clinical findings were classified as meningitis, encephalitis or myelitis. RESULTS: Among 7690 patients with available CSF results, 550 cases met the inclusion criteria (meningitis 74.7%; encephalitis 25%; myelitis 0.4%). Two-thirds (65%) were male and 50% were between 16-60 years old. Viral etiology was confirmed in 38% (enterovirus, 44.3%; Epstein-Barr virus, 31%; varicella zoster virus, 12.4%). The estimated incidence was 6.4 per 100,000 population. Two persons died and the rest were discharged to home. Among those with confirmed viral etiology, 83.8% received ceftriaxone (mean duration 7.3±5.2 days), 38% received vancomycin (mean duration 2.7±5.4 days) and 38% received at least one other antibiotic. Intravenous acyclovir was continued for more than 48h in patients with confirmed negative viral etiology (mean duration 5±5.6 days). CONCLUSION: Viral etiology is not uncommon among those evaluated for CNS infection in Qatar. Clinical outcomes are excellent in this group of patients. Antibiotics and acyclovir are overly used even when a viral etiology is confirmed. There is a need for clinician education regarding etiology and treatment of viral CNS infections.
BACKGROUND:Central nervous system (CNS) viral infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. No data are available regarding their epidemiology in Qatar. DESIGN: We retrospectively evaluated all cerebrospinal fluid findings from January 2011-March 2015 at Hamad Medical Corporation. Those with abnormal CSF finding were included in our study. We excluded those with missing medical records, no clinical evidence of viral CNS infection, or proven bacterial, fungal or tuberculosis CNS infection. CNS clinical findings were classified as meningitis, encephalitis or myelitis. RESULTS: Among 7690 patients with available CSF results, 550 cases met the inclusion criteria (meningitis 74.7%; encephalitis 25%; myelitis 0.4%). Two-thirds (65%) were male and 50% were between 16-60 years old. Viral etiology was confirmed in 38% (enterovirus, 44.3%; Epstein-Barr virus, 31%; varicella zoster virus, 12.4%). The estimated incidence was 6.4 per 100,000 population. Two persons died and the rest were discharged to home. Among those with confirmed viral etiology, 83.8% received ceftriaxone (mean duration 7.3±5.2 days), 38% received vancomycin (mean duration 2.7±5.4 days) and 38% received at least one other antibiotic. Intravenous acyclovir was continued for more than 48h in patients with confirmed negative viral etiology (mean duration 5±5.6 days). CONCLUSION: Viral etiology is not uncommon among those evaluated for CNS infection in Qatar. Clinical outcomes are excellent in this group of patients. Antibiotics and acyclovir are overly used even when a viral etiology is confirmed. There is a need for clinician education regarding etiology and treatment of viral CNS infections.
Authors: Shilu Mathew; Hebah A Al Khatib; Khalid Al Ansari; Joanne Nader; Gheyath K Nasrallah; Nadin N Younes; Peter V Coyle; Asmaa A Al Thani; Muna A Al Maslamani; Hadi M Yassine Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2021-06-16