A clinical case of a combination of secondary headache with recurrent genital rash in an immunocompetent woman Текст научной статьи по специальности «Клиническая медицина»

Випадок i3 практики

Case Report

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UDC 616.33-005.1-07-08 DOI: 10.22141/2312-413x.6.2.2018.131097

I.L. Vysochyna1, V.V. Mavrutenkov1, Z.O. Chykarenko1, O.A. Rositskaya1, N.V. Zhukova2

1 State Institution "Dnipropetrovsk Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine", Dnipro, Ukraine

2 Municipal Institution "Professor Ye.H. Popkova City Clinical Hospital 21" of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, Dnipro, Ukraine

A clinical case of a combination of secondary headache with recurrent genital rash in an immunocompetent woman

For cite: Aktual'naa Infektologia. 2018;6(2):98-102. doi: 10.22141/2312-413x.6.2.2018.131097

Abstract. Headache is one of the most common pathological conditions worldwide, taking into account that 45 % of the adult population has ever reported severe or disabling cephalgia. This interdisciplinary problem often requires participation of many specialists to perform comprehensive differential diagnosis and to choose the effective management. The article investigates one of the causes of the headache such as infections due to persistent viruses. The article presents a detailed clinical case of recurrent episodes of severe disabling headache in an immuno-competent female, which were accompanied by genital rash. Performed laboratory survey is discussed. Methods and efficacy of therapeutic approach during exacerbation episodes and long-term follow-up are described. The article presents international classification of primary and secondary causes of headache disorders according to the International Headache Society (2013). The spectrum of etiological causes of headache, which should be included into differential diagnosis is discussed. Attention is given to differentiation of headache as a presentation of infectious diseases, both intracranial and systemic. Considering the presented clinical case of recurrent episodes of severe headache associated with signs of genital rash, etiology of herpes simplex virus 1 + 2 is suggested. According to clinicians' opinion, Mollaret meningitis was diagnosed in the discussed case. The article presents historical background of this diagnosis, pathogenic features of this disorder, diagnostic criteria of Mollaret meningitis, its relation to the group of benign recurrent aseptic meningitis, as well as outline of other reasons of benign meningitis. Recommended management of Mollaret meningitis and its efficacy are provided in the study. Differential diagnosis of recurrent episodes of headache should include a long list of causes and often requires collaboration of different specialists. The combination of recurrent pain of any localization, such as cephalalgia with neurologic or somatic pathology, includes herpes simplex virus 1 + 2 infection in the clinical and laboratory differential diagnosis. When establishing the diagnosis of recurrent aseptic meningitis, such as Mollaret meningitis, first line etiotropic drugs are derivatives of acyclovir unless another cause of serous meningitis is confirmed. The use of acyclovir derivatives with recurrent aseptic meningitis, including Mollaret meningitis, can be justified on the basis of clinical signs in cases when exact etiotropic confirmation is complicated. This therapy should be performed as a long-term suppressive chemotherapy, duration and efficacy of which should be established during further clinical evaluation, considering absence of headache relapses and other clinical presentations.

Keywords: headache; adults; differential diagnosis; Mollaret meningitis; management

Introduction

Benign recurrent lymphocytic meningitis, or Mollaret meningitis (MM), is a disease characterized by headache, fever and vomiting; in 84 % of cases, it is caused by the reactivation of type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV) with or without genital rashes [1].

Headache is one of the most common pathological conditions. Thus, according to epidemiological studies, 45 % of the adult population has ever reported severe or disabling cephalgia. According to the World Health Organization, from half to three quarters of people aged 18—65 years in the world have had a headache over the past year. 1.7—4 %

© «Актуальна ¡нфектолопя» / «Актуальная инфектологая» / «Actual Infectology» («Atäual'naä Infektologiä»), 2018 © Видавець Заславський О.Ю. / Издатель Заславский А.Ю. / Publisher Zaslavsky O.Yu., 2018

Для кореспонденци: Маврутенков Вiктор Володимирович, доктор медичних наук, професор кафедри шфекцмних хвороб, ДЗ «Днтропетровська медична академiя МОЗ УкраТни», вул. Вернадського, 9, м. Днтро, 49044, УкраТна; e-mail: [email protected]; контактний тел.: +38 050 362 57 77.

For correspondence: Victor Mavrutenkov, MD, PhD, Professor at the Department of Infectious Diseases, State Institution "Dnipropetrovsk Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine', Verna-dsky st., 9, Dnipro, 49044, Ukraine; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: +38 050 362 57 77.

of the world's adult population suffers from a headache that lasts 15 or more days every month. Despite the differences in regions, headache is a worldwide problem affecting people regardless of age, race, income level and geographical area that violate their domestic and professional activities [2, 4]. Diagnosis is complicated by various clinical manifestations, hundreds of different etiologies, both benign and life-threatening, which cause a headache. In recent years, there has been a transformation in the understanding of etiopatho-genesis, classification, diagnosis and treatment of headaches, which helps doctors better understand this problem, and improve the quality of life of patients [3]. The problem of diagnosis and treatment of headache remains interdisciplinary, often requiring the participation of many specialists (neurologist, ophthalmologist, infectious disease specialist, general practitioner, maxillofacial surgeon, etc.) [5]. One of headache causes is infection due to persistent viruses, in particular, herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection type 1 + 2, which is facilitated by their ubiquity [6]. Thus, the issues of diagnosis and successful treatment of recurrent headaches are of great scientific and practical importance.

Presentation of clinical cases

Patient Sh., 47 years old, a resident of the city of Dnipro, an ethnic Slavic woman, came to the clinic with complaints of severe headache that started three days ago and still continues at the time of the examination, accompanied by genital rash, as well as weakness and low grade fever.

From the patient's life history: socially adapted, has two healthy daughters aged 12 and 22 years. The patient categorically denies the use of alcohol, drugs, and any medicinal psychotropic drugs. For twenty years (with sexual debut) she suffers a persistent headache, which causes increased fatigue and mood swings. According to the patient, increased attacks of cephalalgia arose about 12 years ago, after giving birth the second time, and the subsequent surgery and chemotherapy for malignant papilloma of the uterus. Since this time, attacks of severe headaches began to combine with genital vesicles on the labia majora, and in the last few years, there have been 7 to 9 such episodes per year. The duration of these episodes ranged from 4 to 7 days, during which the headache, as the patient described, had a persistent severe nature. At the same time, the fever was insignificant, short-term and did not combine with signs of any systemic disease. During episodes of genital rash, the patient irregularly and in inappropriate doses took acyclovir (Ac) orally.

According to the epidemiological history, the vesicular rash on the genitals took place in previous marriage. The patient did not perform laboratory studies of the contents of genital vesicles, a priori believing that they were manifestations of HSV.

Clinical status. When examining the patient, the general condition was satisfactory. Vital signs are within normal limits. Body mass index is 23 kg/m2. Skin has natural color, there is no rash or enanthema on the oral mucosa; some benign spots of the lentigo type are seen. All groups of peripheral lymph nodes are not enlarged. No pathology of cardiorespiratory and digestive systems is revealed. Liver and spleen are of normal size and density. Neurological

examination detected no deficiency of the peripheral nerve function. Appearance and mobility of muscles and joints are without pathological findings.

Considering the severity of headache, as well as the presence of vesicular genital rash, the patient was recommended to be hospitalized and was discharged in 3 days. In the hospital, routine blood and urine tests, frontal lung radiography were performed, and no abnormalities were detected. The blood test for antibodies to human immunodeficiency vi-rus-1 (HIV-1) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was negative. Spinal puncture conducted on day 8 from the onset of the headache attack and vesicular rash showed a clear liquor: cells — 2 lymphocytes in 1 ^l, glucose — 2.2 mmol/l, protein level — 0.12 g/l. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the presence of HSV 1 + 2 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) did not reveal the genetic material of these pathogens. In the blood serum, G class antibodies to HSV 1 + 2 type, CMV and EBV nuclear antigen were detected by the ELISA. Analysis of vaginal content for HSV 1 + 2 DNA by PCR was not carried out, because by this time, vesicular rash had disappeared.

Despite the absence of HSV DNA and signs of inflammation following cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, acy-clovir was administered intravenously as an infusion for 1 hour at a dose of 500 mg 3 times a day (every 8 hours) for 7 days, after which the patient was switched to the oral valacyclovir (VAc) at a dose of 1,000 mg/day. The choice of this dose of VAc is proved by the fact that in the presence of more than 9 episodes of genital herpes for systemic suppressive antiviral chemotherapy, 1,000 mg of the drug is recommended daily, for an indefinitely long time [7]. The choice of VAc was determined by a higher enteric bioavailability of the drug, compared with acyclovir, convenient compliance (one dose per day), and an optimal safety profile — side effects are rare. During examination on 18.03.17, after 5 months of continuous administration of VAc at a dose of 1,000 mg/day 1 time in the morning, the patient states a significant improvement in the well-being: the amount and severity of cephalgia decreased, the emotional tone improved, the relapses of genital rash decreased (noted once, after freezing in a swimming pool). Given the relationship between the appearance of disease symptoms and a decrease in the environmental temperature, it was decided that until April, the patient takes 1,000 mg/day with the subsequent complete permanent drug discontinuation. At the same time, it was stipulated with the patient that in case of genital rash relapse, regardless of the presence or absence of cephalgia, the dose of VAc immediately increases to 3,000 mg/day (1,000 mg in three divided doses).

Discussion

The International Headache Society in 2013 published the international classification of headache disorders, the 3rd edition (Table 1). This document presents diagnostic criteria for the types of primary, secondary headache, cranial neuropathies, primary and secondary facial pain. Secondary headaches are considered in terms of acute and chronic

headache as a symptom in head and neck injuries, vascular pathology, intracranial non-vascular pathology of the brain, the effects of substances use or their withdrawal, various infections, mental illnesses and other causes [17].

Differentiation of acute and chronic cephalalgia at infectious diseases is carried out between intracranial (bacterial, viral, fungal meningitis, meningoencephalitis, parasitic infections) and systemic infection. Depending on the stage of the infectious process, the degree and level of damage to the nervous system, the headache associated with infections of different etiologies is often accompanied by fever, nausea/vomiting, meningeal syndrome, rash on the skin of varying severity, asthenic syndrome. More often, a headache is a leading symptom of intracranial infection, while at systemic infections, it is secondary, not prominent. Headache as a cerebral symptom regresses after elimination of viral or bacterial agent. But it can also become a symptom of neuropathic, central pain, becoming chronic during formation of infectious disease consequences, for example, postherpetic neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve.

In the present case, the woman develops secondary recurrent cephalalgia combined with recurrent genital rash of unknown etiology. It should be noted that herpetic etiology of recurrent vesicular exanthema has not been laboratory verified by a reference test based on the analysis of vesicular contents for the presence of HSV 1 + 2 DNA by PCR. However, indirectly, we can suspect HSV infection as the cause of genital rash according to epidemiological data (similar rash was noted in husband), the results of serological tests — the presence of immunoglobulin G to HSV 1 + 2 in the blood, as well as the effectiveness of systemic antiviral chemotherapy with nucleotide analogues, Ac and VAc. Given the long course of the disease, as well as timely link between the onset of genital rash and attacks of cephalalgia, a diagnosis of benign recurrent aseptic meningitis (BRAM) was established. This meningitis is a rare variant of aseptic (lymphocytic) meningitis, having an eponym Mollaret meningitis, named after the French neurologist Pierre Mol-laret (1898-1987) [8]. In 1944, in Nazi-occupied France,

Pierre Mollaret published in medical journal a clinical observation of three patients, who had recurrent short episodes of headache, fever and vomiting combined with aseptic meningitis, where the so-called phantom cells were present in the CSF, consisting of epithelial cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils [9]. Despite the fact that there were no signs of viral meningitis in the cerebrospinal fluid, which can be explained by the rapidity of CSF normalization in BRAM, which occurs spontaneously within 2 to 5 days (examination of our patient was conducted on day 8 after the onset of the attack), the presence of other signs was consistent with MM criteria (see below) [10-12].

Diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of Mollaret meningitis (Brynn G.W., 1962) [10]

1. Recurring episodes of severe headache, meningism and fever.

2. Between the attacks, there are normal intervals without any symptoms, lasting from weeks to months.

3. Pleocytosis of cerebrospinal fluid represented by a large number of endothelial cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes.

4. Spontaneous resolution of symptoms.

5. Etiological agent not detected.

Most specialists [13] believe that cases, when the cause of recurrent serous meningitis is not established, are namely MM that is a cross-over, idiopathic version of BRAM. At the same time, as the analysis of the world scientific and medical literature shows, in 84 % of cases, the etiologic factor of BRAM is HSV type 2 [1, 13, 14]. In this regard, it should be noted that the reactivation of HSV type 2 persisting in the sensory ganglia of the lumbosacral spinal cord can also cause combined, but already uroneurological pathology in the form of Elsberg syndrome (Charles Albert Elsberg, 1871-1948), which is manifested as radiculomyelitis (pain/ numbness/paresthesia in the buttocks, perineum or legs) in combination with acute urinary retention [12]. Elsberg or MM syndromes demonstrate the pathogenesis of HSV 1 + 2

Table 1. The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (2013)

Primary headaches Secondary headaches Painful cranial neuropathies, other facial pain and other headaches

Migraine Headache attributed to trauma or injury to the head and/or neck Painful lesions of the cranial nerves and other facial pain

Tension-type headache Headache attributed to cranial and/or cervical vascular disorder Other headache disorders

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias Headache attributed to non-vascular intracranial disorder

Other primary headache disorders Headache attributed to a substance or its withdrawal

Headache attributed to infection

Headache attributed to disorder of homoeostasis

Headache or facial pain attributed to disorder of the cranium, neck, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, teeth, mouth or other facial or cervical structure

Headache attributed to psychiatric disorder

infection, where infection of sensory ganglia of the autonomic nervous system and lifelong persistence of the virus is a key link explaining the polytopic nature of recurrent pains and somatic pathology. The reasonability of distinction between MM and BRAM is determined by the fact that in the first case, it is necessary to look for causes that are quite extensive (see below) of recurrent inflammation of the soft meninges, while in the second case, it justifies the use of antiherpetic chemotherapy (acyclic nucleotides). At the same time, attention should be paid to the fact that there is no anogenital exanthema at the time of meningitis attack in more than half of the patients [15]. In this regard, administration of acyclic nucleotides in the regime of suppres-sive chemotherapy in patients with MM is recommended in most guidelines, and under this regime, there is a significant decrease in the incidence of headache and genital exanthema attacks — by 70-80 % [7].

Causes for recurrent benign meningitis [16]

1. Infectious etiological factors:

— viral infections (enterovirus, HSV — Mollaret meningitis, HIV, CMV, Epstein-Barr virus, varicella zoster virus, mumps virus):

— bacterial infections (Brucella, Francisella tularensis, Actinomyces, Listeria-unpasteurized, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Nocardia, rarely — not completely eradicated N.meningi-tidis, Streptococcus or Haemophilus influenzae);

— tuberculous meningitis;

— spirochetoses (Treponema pallidum and Borrelia burgdorferi);

— parameningeal infections;

— fungal infections (Cryptococcus, Coccidioides, Sporo-thrix, Histoplasma);

— parasitic infections (eosinophilic meningitis — Angio-strongylus, Taenia solium, schistosomiasis, toxoplasmosis).

2. Non-infectious etiological factors:

— tumor;

— sarcoidosis;

— granulomatous angiitis;

— systemic lupus erythematosus and other vasculitis;

— Behcet's disease;

— Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome;

— chronic benign lymphocytic meningitis;

— meningitis caused by medication (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole);

— chronic meningitis of unknown etiology.

Practical recommendations

1. Combination of recurrent pain of any localization, such as cephalalgia with neurologic or somatic pathology, includes HSV 1 + 2 infection in the clinical and laboratory differential diagnosis.

2. When establishing the diagnosis of recurrent aseptic meningitis, including MM, etiotropic first line drugs are acyclic nucleotides unless another cause of serous meningitis is found.

3. The acyclovir derivatives in recurrent aseptic meningitis, including MM, should be used in the regime of long-term suppressive chemotherapy and should be evalu-

ated exclusively on clinical signs: no relapse of headache, meningitis and anogenital exanthema.

Conflicts of interests. Authors declare no conflicts of interests that might be construed to influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript.

References

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11. Tedder DG, Ashley R, Tyler KL, Levin MJ. Herpes simplex virus infection as a cause of benign recurrent lymphocytic meningitis. Ann Intern Medí. 1994 Sep 1;121(5):334-8.

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Received 28.02.2018 ■

Высочина И.Л.1, Маврутенков В.В.1, Чикаренко З.А.1, Росицкая Е.А.1, Жукова Н.В.2

1 Государственное учреждение «Днепропетровская медицинская академия МЗ Украины, г. Днепр, Украина

2 Коммунальное учреждение «Городская клиническая больница № 21 им. Е.Г. Попковой» ДОС, г. Днепр, Украина

Клинический случай сочетания вторичной головной боли с рецидивирующими генитальными высыпаниями у иммунокомпетентной женщины

Резюме. В статье представлен подробный анализ клинического случая рецидивирующих эпизодов выраженной головной боли с появлением сыпи в области наружных половых органов у иммунокомпетентной женщины. Описаны особенности течения данной патологии, приведены результаты лабораторного обследования с обоснованием выбора методов и оценкой эффективности терапии. Представлены анализ и классификация возможных инфекционных и неинфекционных этиологических причин головной боли в соответствии с Международным обществом головной боли. Даны историческая справка о менингите Молларе, диагностические критерии данного диагноза, описаны терапия и прогноз. Также

проведена дифференциальная диагностика других причин доброкачественного рецидивирующего асептического менингита. В результате дифференциального подхода в указанному клиническом случае был диагностирован менингит Молларе. В статье представлены особенности данной патологии и диагностические критерии, обсуждены возможные этиологические причины и схемы терапии. Подчеркнуты необходимость и эффективность длительной супрессивной химиотерапии для профилактики повторных эпизодов клинического обострения в терапии менингита Молларе. Ключевые слова: головная боль; взрослые; дифференциальная диагностика; менингит Молларе; терапия

Височина 1.Л.1, Маврутенков В.В.1, Чикаренко З.О.1, Росицька О.А.1, Жукова Н.В.2

1 Державний заклад «Днпропетровська медична академя МОЗ Укра)ни», м. Днпро, Украна

2 Комунальний заклад «Мська клiнiчна лкарня № 21 iM. проф. е.Г. Попково)» ДОР, м. Днпро, Украна

Кл^чний випадок поеднання вторинного головного болю з рецидивуючими геытальними висипаннями в iмунокомпетентноУ жЫки

Резюме. У статй наведено детальний аналiз клшчного ви-падку рецидивуючих епiзодiв вираженого головного болю з появою висипання в дшянщ зовншшх статевих оргашв у iмунокомпетентноl жшки. Описано особливосп переб^у ще! патологи, наведено результати лабораторного обстеження з обГрунтуванням вибору методiв i оцшкою ефективносп те-рапй. Наведено аналiз i класифшацш можливих шфекцш-них та нешфекцшних етюлопчних причин головного болю вщповщно до М1жнародного товариства головного болю. Подано юторичну довщку про менiнгiт Молларе, дiагностич-нi критерй цього дiагнозу, описано терапш i прогноз. Також

проведено диференщальну дiагностику iнших причин добро-як1сного рецидивуючого асептичного менiнгiту. У результат диференцiального пщходу в наведеному клiнiчному випад-ку був дiагностований менiнгiт Молларе. У статтi описано особливосп ще! патологи i дiагностичнi критери, обговорено можливi етюлопчш причини i схеми терапи. Пдкреслено необхiIднiсть i ефективнiсть тривало! супресивно! ммютерапи для профiлактики повторних епiзодiв клiнiчного загострення в терапи меншпту Молларе.

Ключовi слова: головний бшь; дорослi; диференцiальна дiа-гностика; меншпт Молларе; терап1я