Protocol for DexEnceph: a randomised controlled trial of dexamethasone therapy in adults with herpes simplex virus encephalitis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis is a rare severe form of brain inflammation that commonly leaves survivors and their families with devastating long-term consequences. The virus particularly targets the temporal lobe of the brain causing debilitating problems in memory, especially verbal memory. It is postulated that immunomodulation with the corticosteroid, dexamethasone, could improve outcomes by reducing brain swelling. However, there are concerns (so far not observed) that such immunosuppression might facilitate increased viral replication with resultant worsening of disease. A previous trail closed early because of slow recruitment.

Method

DexEnceph is a pragmatic multicentre, randomised, controlled, open-label, observer-blind trial to determine whet

SUBMITTER: Whitfield T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8728349 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature