Kluver-Bucy Syndrome: A Rare Complication of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

Raquel Costa; Joana Fontes; Tiago Mendes; Marta Pereira; Carlos Gonçalves

doi:10.12890/2021_002725

Kluver-Bucy Syndrome: A Rare Complication of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2021 Jul 22;8(7):002725. doi: 10.12890/2021_002725. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Raquel Costa¹, Joana Fontes¹, Tiago Mendes¹, Marta Pereira¹, Carlos Gonçalves¹

Affiliation

¹ Unidade Local Saúde Alto Minho, Hospital Conde de Bertiandos, Ponte de Lima, Portugal.

Abstract

Kluver-Bucy syndrome (KBS) is a characterized by a group of cognitive dysfunctions that include hypersexuality, placidity, hyperorality, memory deficits and hypermetamorphosis. This syndrome is often seen in pathological states that destroy the temporal lobes, normally bilaterally. Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is one of the causes of KBS, as the herpes virus can cause dysfunction/destruction of the temporal lobes. KBS is a very rare syndrome, with just a few cases described in the literature. We present the case of a 21-year-old-man who was diagnosis with KBS after HSE.

Learning points: Kluver-Bucy syndrome (KBS) should be kept in mind in patients with visual agnosia, hypermetamorphosis, memory disturbances, hypersexuality and placidity.Neurological causes of KBS should be treated quickly.Treatment of KBS is still very challenging.

Keywords: Kluver-Bucy; herpes virus encephalitis; hyperorality; hypersexuality.