Contactin-associated protein-2 and anti-aquaporin-4 antibody positive autoimmune encephalitis secondary to herpes simplex encephalitis: A case report.

Lin-Ming Zhang, Huan-Bo Zhang, Yong-Fang Zou, Ming-Wei Liu

Medicine 2023 May 19

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Recurrent herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) can easily induce autoimmune encephalitis (AE). However, there are few reports of anti-contactin-associated protein-2 (CASPR2)-related encephalitis, especially with positive anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibodies. A 14-year-old boy was admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University for "headache, dizziness, and fever for four days" with positive anti-CASPR2 and anti-AQP4 antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. Cranial MRI showed lesions in the right hippocampus, amygdala, and insular lobe, with local sulcus enhancement in the right insular, temporal, and frontal lobes. The fluid-attenuated inversion recovery was significantly enhanced. Human herpes virus type I was detected by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic testing. The patient was diagnosed with AE secondary to HSE, with positive anti-CASPR2 and anti-AQP4 antibodies. After 2 weeks of immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone immunomodulatory therapy, acyclovir antivirus, mannitol dehydration, reducing intracranial pressure, and other symptomatic support therapy. The patient's symptoms significantly improved, with no complaints of discomfort, and he was discharged for observation. The patient was followed up a month after discharge and had no complaints of discomfort. CASPR2 and anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive AE have not been reported to be positive. This case will raise awareness of CASPR2 and anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive AE secondary to HSE, strengthen diagnostic capacities, and provide advice to treat it. Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Citation

Lin-Ming Zhang, Huan-Bo Zhang, Yong-Fang Zou, Ming-Wei Liu. Contactin-associated protein-2 and anti-aquaporin-4 antibody positive autoimmune encephalitis secondary to herpes simplex encephalitis: A case report. Medicine. 2023 May 19;102(20):e33767