Medical progress: viral encephalitis

Article Abstract:

In a review of viral encephalitis, author Richard J. Whitley discusses the many aspects of this disease. More precisely, he discusses the aspects of these diseases, since a wide variety of different viruses may infect the brain. Some, like rabies, essentially affect only the brain; most encephalitis is the result of a common virus, like herpes simplex or measles, which infects the brain only occasionally. Different viruses take different routes into the brain, but most are carried by the blood, and are often transmitted by a mosquito. It is not always clear how viruses cross the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from unwanted elements in the blood. Recently the AIDS virus has joined the ranks of viruses infecting the brain. While the pathological picture is different from classic encephalitis viruses like herpes simplex, AIDS encephalitis manages to produce dementia in virtually all patients by the time of death. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Causes of, Disease transmission, Brain, Inflammation, Encephalomyelitis, Encephalitis

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Cytomegalovirus retinitis -- evolving therapies in a new era

Article Abstract:

Intraocular ganciclovir implants in combination with oral ganciclovir may benefit some AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis. Cytomegalovirus retinitis is a viral infection of the retina. A 1999 study found that oral ganciclovir in addition to intraocular ganciclovir not only prevented the disease from spreading to the other eye but also to other organs. Unfortunately, oral ganciclovir can suppress the immune system, whereas intraocular ganciclovir does not. The study also found that patients who were taking protease inhibitors for their HIV infection were also less likely to experience a progression of their retinitis.

Editorial, Evaluation, Drug therapy, Cytomegalovirus infections, Retinal diseases, Ganciclovir

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Varicella-zoster vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster

Article Abstract:

A case study of 64-year-old man in generally good health, who visited his internist for an annual examination eight months after being treated for pneumonia with a course of oral antibiotics, is presented. A discussion on whether the patient should receive the varicella-zoster vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster is presented.

United Kingdom, Health aspects, Prevention, Complications and side effects, Shingles (Disease), Herpes zoster, Clinical report, Herpesvirus vaccines

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