Progressive hippocampal sclerosis after viral encephalitis: potential role of NMDA receptor antibodies

Survivors of viral encephalitis can develop refractory epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis. Both the initial infectious insult and the secondary effects of recurrent seizures have been implicated in chronic disease progression. Recently, post-infectious autoimmunity, involved in acute relapses, has also been proposed as a pathomechanism for chronic disease progression. Our case series suggests a potential role of antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in chronic inflammatory disease beyond acute manifestations.

0