Encephalitis case study

1. Biochemistry 460/660
Lecture #XYZ
Case Study: Encephalitis
°°

2. Calvin’s Symptoms
Calvin starts experiencing some flu-like
symptoms like a fever and a headache and
fatigue. In not much time however Calvin
starts to become agitated and doesn’t seem
himself. Soon he is having problems talking
and is fading in and out of consciousness.

3. What do you do first?
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Session ID: Biochem460

4. Where do you think this problem can be
originating from?
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Session ID: Biochem460

5. What is your diagnosis for Calvin?
End123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960 Receiver: 41
Session ID: Biochem460

6. What tests would you do to quicken the
correct diagnosis because time could be
running out for Calvin?
End123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960 Receiver: 41
Session ID: Biochem460

7. Encephalitis
• Encephalitis is swelling due to
inflammation in the brain
• Most common cause is viral infections
– Common viral infections include
• Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (cold sores)
• Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (Genital Herpes, wouldn’t
their day suck?)
• Epstein-Barr Virus

8. Encephalitis
• The inflammation is due to an immune
response either to the
virus or as a secondary
immune response to
another infection in a
different location in the
body

9. Encephalitis

10. Encephalitis
• Starting with the tissue damage, many different cells are
activated from mast cells, macrophages,lymphocytes,
and neutrophils
• Chemotaxis occurs due to
chemotactic factors including
– Lipids
– Formylated peptides
– chemokines
– Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-
phenylalanine (fMLP)

11. Encephalitis

12. What could a long term effect of
encephalitis be?
End123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960 Receiver: 41
Session ID: Biochem460
A. Memory Loss
B. Loss of muscle function
C. Problems with speech
D. Problems with vision
E. All of the above

13. Treatments
• Treatments can be similar to treating a flu
– Bedrest
– Plenty of fluids
– Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Antiviral drugs can be used if infection is suspected
• And in severe cases some supportive care can be used
– Breathing assistance
– IV fluids
– Anticonvulsant drugs