Pathology of acute encephalopathy syndrome in children in summer
Sriramachari, S.; Patoria, N.K.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 64(2): 296-313
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 1270118 Document Number: 101460
In recent years perennial episodes of encephalitis-like syndrome were reported in some central Indian cities. At times, 400-500 children were affected with a fatality rate of 50-60%. Repeated attempts failed to detect microbial bacterial or viral agents. The neuro-pathological examination of the brains in 15 children inclusive of some of the viscera in 10 cases established that the disease was a manifestation of heat hyperpyrexia rather than an inflammatory disease due to some unknown viral agent. In addition to characteristic changes in the cerebral cortex, loss of Purkinje cells and damage of the neurons of the dentate nucleus there was marked cerebral edema. Other viscera like the liver showed evidence of acute liver cell damage with the presence of acidophilic bodies, unaccompanied by inflammatory changes. The implications of the etio-pathogenesis of this condition for the practical management of the condition were discussed.