Organ Recovery from a Donor with Presumed Viral Encephalitis: A Case Report and Review

Journal of Transplant Coordination, Vol. 8, Number 4, December 1998 tion upon admission was normal except for a 2to 3-cm axillary lump. In addition, the computed tomography (CT) scan of the head was normal. The patient was started on ceftriaxone sodium (Rocephin) and loaded with phenytoin (Dilantin). A lumbar puncture was performed on day 2 (results listed in Table 1). The child was additionally placed on acyclovir and treated for an iron deficiency anemia. A magnetic resonance imaging of the brain did not show any abnormal findings. Dilantin was discontinued and carbamazepine (Tegretol) was started. The child had another seizure on day 3 and Dilantin was recontinued. After a decline in the child’s mental status, an electroencephalograph (EEG) was performed showing borderline normal activity. A repeat CT scan on day 4 was normal; a repeat EEG revealed a slow background rhythm for age with generalized electrocerebellar dysfunction. Rocephin was discontinued after a rapid Streptococcus test was positive. The patient was then started on ampicillin. Later that day, the patient had another seizure for which he was treated with phenobarbital. He subsequently had significant neurologic deterioration over the next several hours. On day 5, the patient’s mental status declined further, and intubation and mechanical ventilation were required to support his respiratory function. The patient was referred and transferred to our institution Organ recovery from a donor with presumed viral encephalitis: a case report and review