acyclovir and Hyponatremia

The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion is a common consequence of neurologic and pulmonary infections as well as drug intake and many other clinical situations. This report describes SIADH that developed in an elderly woman with single dermatomal herpes varicella zoster ophthalmicus without evidence of varicella zoster encephalitis or dissemination. A 76-year-old woman was admitted to our department for evaluation of left facial pain, confusion and disorientation. Further investigation revealed hyponatremia 112 mEq/L, low serum osmolality, high urine osmolality, normal renal function, normal adrenal and thyroid hormones, and high plasma vasopressin 40 pg/mL. These results indicate that the hyponatremia in this case was due to SIADH and that SIADH was caused by an increased release of vasopressin probably because of the antiviral drug (acyclovir) or infection of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in a single dermatome.

Topics: Acyclovir; Aged; Antiviral Agents; Female; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus; Humans; Hyponatremia; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome

Presented here is a case of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) that developed in an elderly woman with single dermatomal herpes varicella zoster ophthalmicus without evidence of varicella-zoster encephalitis or dissemination. This is only the third such case reported in the English language literature to date, and it affirms that SIADH can develop in patients with herpetic involvement of just a single dermatome and corrects with resolution of the herpetic lesions.

Topics: Acyclovir; Aged; Antiviral Agents; Female; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus; Humans; Hyponatremia; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Sodium; Treatment Outcome

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS)/drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe multiorgan reaction with reactivation of herpesviruses. Various features are often seen during the course of the disease. Many aspects of this syndrome suggest close similarities between DIHS/DRESS and graft-versus-host disease. We describe a patient with phenobarbital-induced hypersensitivity syndrome who revealed syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) associated with limbic encephalitis during the course of the disease. In view of previous reports that SIADH and limbic encephalitis are caused by reactivation of latent herpesviruses after transplantation, both conditions may be secondarily caused by reactivation of latent herpesviruses, which is typically observed in DIHS/DRESS. These neurological symptoms should be added to a growing list of important complications of DIHS/DRESS because of the high mortality rate associated with them.

Topics: Acyclovir; Aged; Anticonvulsants; Antiviral Agents; Coma; Drug Hypersensitivity; Encephalitis; Epilepsy; Humans; Hyponatremia; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Male; Phenobarbital; Syndrome; Treatment Outcome

Localised herpes zoster infection ('shingles') in older patients is a common presentation to primary, and sometimes secondary, care physicians. However, symptoms of hyponatraemia, caused by the rare complication of 'syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion' (SIADH), may be mistaken for constitutional symptoms of the infection itself. Such patients may require closer monitoring or hospitalisation.

Topics: Acyclovir; Aged, 80 and over; Antiviral Agents; Female; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Hyponatremia; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome

A sixty-six year old female was admitted to the hospital with an incomplete hemiparesis on the left side combined with a short episode of unconsciousness. According to her husband's account she had a seizure. Relevant laboratory measurements: plasma sodium concentration 113.9 mmol/l, plasma concentration of ADH 10.3 pg/ml, urine sodium concentration 44.4 mmol/l. The plasma concentrations of creatinine and urea were within normal limits. The working hypothesis was SIAD (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis) or Schwartz-Bartter-syndrome. The patient was treated immediately with water restriction (500-1000 ml/day), furosemide and i.v. replacement of urinary sodium losses by 3% NaCl. The analysis of cerebrospinal fluid showed pleocytosis and increased concentrations of immunoglobulins G and M. Serological diagnosis was positive for antigen of varicella-zoster virus. These observations were thought to be compatible with a diagnosis of SIAD in the setting of encephalitis. Under water restriction, infusion of 3% saline, treatment with loop diuretics and aciclovir (3 x 750 mg daily) the neurological function returned to normal within 2 days. A standard oral water load on the 14th hospital days showed a return to a normal water metabolism.

Topics: Acyclovir; Aged; Antiviral Agents; Combined Modality Therapy; Diagnosis, Differential; Diuretics; Encephalitis, Viral; Female; Hemiplegia; Herpes Zoster; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Hyponatremia; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Unconsciousness

The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone is a common consequence of neurologic and pulmonary infections as well as drug intake and many other clinical situations. Its association with herpes varicella-zoster virus infections is scarcely reported in the literature. It generally appears in immunosuppressed patients suffering from serious underlying diseases. There are also a few cases of syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone related to vidarabine use. We report the case of a man infected by human immunodeficiency virus who developed a disseminated herpes varicella-zoster virus infection and symptoms due to hyponatremia caused by antidiuretic hormone excess. The patient was cured with saline hypertonic infusion, water restriction, and intravenous administration of acyclovir. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of this association in a human immunodeficiency virus infected patient. We propose the use of acyclovir instead of vidarabine in the management of these situations.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Acyclovir; Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Herpes Zoster; HIV-1; Humans; Hyponatremia; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Male; Syndrome