Cytomegalovirus encephalitis in immunologically normal adults. Successful treatment with vidarabine
C. A. Phillips, W. L. Fanning, D. W. Gump and C. F. Phillips
Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) encephalitis developed in two immunologically
normal adults. The diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of CMV from the CSF
and urine in one case and from temporal lobe biopsy tissue, CSF, and urine
in the second case. Both patients were treated with vidarabine and showed
dramatic clinical improvement. Virus excretion, which had been chronic in
one case, cleared after therapy. To our knowledge, these are the first
persons with CMV encephalitis evidenced by isolation of the virus from the
CNS. The response to vidarabine was impressive and warrants further
evaluation.
