Table 6.

Therapeutic evaluation and outcome in 241 adult patients with encephalitis.

Therapeutic evaluation	N (%)
Empiric intravenous antibiotics a	154 (63.9)
Timing of antibiotics initiation (hours), median (range) b	3 (0−71)
Empiric intravenous acyclovir c	147 (61)
Timing of antiviral initiation (hours), median (range) d	12 (0−264)
Intensive care unit admission	124 (51.5)
Repeat CSF HSV PCR in 3−7 days e	21/148 (14.2)
Outcome
Glasgow outcome score ≤ 4, n (%) f	118 (49)
Death, n (%)	30 (12.4)
Worsening creatinine (1.5 folds) g	28 (11.6)

Abbreviations: CSF, cerebrospinal; HSV, herpes simplex virus; PCR, polymerase chain reaction.

^aIntravenous vancomycin and ceftriaxone were the most common empiric antibiotics used in our study.

^bThe time was estimated from arriving to the Emergency room until administration of the antibiotics or acyclovir.

^cThe recommended dose is 10 mg/kg every 8 h, renal adjustment is recommended.

^dThe time was estimated from arriving to the Emergency room until administration of the antibiotics or acyclovir.

^e148 patients were highly suspected to have HSV encephalitis after the first negative HSV PCR but the test was repeated in 21 patients only.

^fIt includes death, vegetative state, severe and moderate disability.

^gWe are checking one of the most common side effects of empiric acyclovir and antibiotics in first week of therapy.