Kauvery Hospital, Salem successfully treats patient with Auto Immune Encephalitis
03 June 2024: Kauvery Hospitals, one of the leading multi-specialty healthcare hospital chains in India has always been at the forefront of medical treatment, technology and services.
A paediatric patient, aged 9 years, was admitted in hospital in a Dharmapuri with seizures and fever. She was admitted to the ICU with ventilator support, and treated for 7-8 days, but there was no improvement.
The Child’s Parents then approached Kauvery Hospitals, Salem for treatment, she was still in critical state with altered sensorium and on ventilator support, being brought to the hospital in an ambulance.
The patient was tested for brain fever, but the results were negative and child continued to have seizures. MRI scan was done, but still there was no diagnosis in sight. Therefore, doctors were of the opinion that her seizures were not due to brain fever, and they suspected that it could be an autoimmune disease.
Thereafter, she underwent test for autoimmune encephalitis –Anti NMDA – Antibodies, which is a test used in the diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis. Encephalitis is usually diagnosed clinically with symptoms including behavioural disorders (paranoia, hallucination, and aggression), memory loss, speech disorder, loss of consciousness, and seizures, and the test is often done for confirmation.
The results of the NMDA antibodies were negative, but considering her condition and presentation, a team of doctors (Dr. Mohammed Fazil, PICU Specialist and Dr. Dhivya, Neurologist and ICU Team consisting of Dr. Vigneswar, Dr. Shanmugapriya, and Dr. Gautham) discussed the issue and arrived at a decision on the appropriate course of treatment.
After the course of steroid, she was still bed-ridden and there was no improvement. Thereafter she was given IVIG, which is a pooled antibody, and a biological agent used in Autoimmune Disease. After administration of IVIG, there was a slight improvement, as she was able to get up and sit, though she had not started talking yet.
Then she was given 2 doses of Rituximab medication, after which her condition started improving.
Then Child tries to attend school on some days whenever possible, although problems with memory and sleeplessness persist. We can say that she has reached around 80% recovery, and with the administration of oral medication shortly she will be completely recovered.”
Speaking of this Dr.Mohammed Fazil says, “This is a complicated case where the diagnosis was a challenge, and I must thank our team of talented doctors for pooling in their expertise to come up with an appropriate diagnosis and course of treatment, leading to the recovery of the patient. Facility Director V. Selvam expressed his congratulations to the team for their groundbreaking work.
