Focal Encephalitis, Meningitis, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Associated with Influenza A Infection

Chih-Yu Liang; Chih-Hui Yang; Jiun-Nong Lin

doi:10.1159/000487398

Focal Encephalitis, Meningitis, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Associated with Influenza A Infection

Med Princ Pract. 2018;27(2):193-196. doi: 10.1159/000487398. Epub 2018 Feb 5.

Authors

Chih-Yu Liang^{1

2}, Chih-Hui Yang³, Jiun-Nong Lin^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Emergency Medicine, E-Da Cancer Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
² Department of Information Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
³ Department of Biological Science and Technology, Meiho University, Pingtung, Taiwan.
⁴ Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
⁵ School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Abstract

Objective: To present a case of influenza A infection complicated with focal encephalitis, meningitis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Clinical presentation and intervention: A 35-year-old woman presented with fever, headache, cough, and body aches. Seizures, altered consciousness, and dyspnea occurred later. A nasopharyngeal swab revealed a positive reaction for the influenza A antigen. Magnetic resonance imaging scans showed a T2 prolongation in the left frontoparietal subcortical white matter, which was consistent with focal encephalitis. She recovered after treatment with oseltamivir and antibiotics.

Conclusion: This case report highlights focal encephalitis with concomitant pulmonary complications after influenza A infection.

Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Encephalopathy; Focal encephalitis; Influenza infection; Meningitis; Seizure.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
Encephalitis / diagnostic imaging
Encephalitis / drug therapy
Encephalitis / virology*
Female
Humans
Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
Influenza, Human / complications*
Influenza, Human / diagnostic imaging
Meningitis
Oseltamivir / therapeutic use
Respiratory Distress Syndrome / virology
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Antiviral Agents
Oseltamivir