270. New Onset Seizure Presented as Neurosyphilis

Abstract Background The term “neurosyphilis” refers to infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by Treponema pallidum. It can occur at any time after initial infection. Early in the course of syphilis, the most common forms of neurosyphilis involve the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), meninges, and vasculature (asymptomatic meningitis, symptomatic meningitis, and meningovascular disease). Late in disease, the most common forms involve the brain and spinal cord parenchyma (general paralysis of the insane and tabes dorsalis). Methods A 31-year-old man who suddenly developed a new onset generalized tonic clonic seizure, was admitted to the emergency department. He had no history of epilepsy and denied any vision or gait problems. The brain MRI showed no abnormalities. He had a history of rapid plasma reagent (RPR) titer 1:32 and a positive fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test in 2017. However, the RPR result was non-reactive when he retested a week later and therefore was not diagnosed with syphilis and did not get treated at that time. His most recent RPR titer was 1:16. HIV serology and other STD tests were all negative. His wife and his 3 kids were negative for syphilis. Due to serological evidence of syphilis and neurological symptoms, we arranged him to get a lumbar puncture to rule out neurosyphilis. Results His CSF study showed positive venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL), WBC cell count 44 cells/ul (lymphocytes 80%, Neutrophil 20%), Glucose 50 mg/dl, Protein 75 mg/dl. Based on the CSF study, he was diagnosed with neurosyphilis and was treated with intravenous Penicillin G 3-4 million units every 4 hours for 14 days, followed by Benzathine Penicillin 2.4million units intramuscularly on day 21. Conclusion This is an unusual case because his false negative RPR result has hindered the prompt diagnosis and management of syphilis. RPR is a nontreponemal test and therefore it is not always reliable as a diagnostic criteria. False negatives in RPR may occur in certain conditions such as in early primary or in late stage syphilis and prozone phenomenon. This case illustrates the importance of using a reverse sequence algorithm in diagnosing syphilis. Thorough history taking is also crucial in conjunction with serological tests to determine the diagnosis and to ensure appropriate treatment. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Conclusion. Although rare, GNEEO causes significant morbidity, with only 2 recovering visual acuity and 3 requiring enucleation. Risk factors, sources of infection, and microbes were all consistent with those in previous reports. Hepatobiliary disease and DM were the most prominent risk factors while sources of infection included UTI and empyema. Eye cultures were positive for K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa, two common pathogens previously identified. This case series highlights the importance of prompt recognition and initial treatment of GNEEO with empiric coverage that includes vancomycin and ceftazidime.
Disclosures. Background. The term "neurosyphilis" refers to infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by Treponema pallidum. It can occur at any time after initial infection. Early in the course of syphilis, the most common forms of neurosyphilis involve the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), meninges, and vasculature (asymptomatic meningitis, symptomatic meningitis, and meningovascular disease). Late in disease, the most common forms involve the brain and spinal cord parenchyma (general paralysis of the insane and tabes dorsalis).

Methods.
A 31-year-old man who suddenly developed a new onset generalized tonic clonic seizure, was admitted to the emergency department. He had no history of epilepsy and denied any vision or gait problems. The brain MRI showed no abnormalities. He had a history of rapid plasma reagent (RPR) titer 1:32 and a positive fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test in 2017. However, the RPR result was non-reactive when he retested a week later and therefore was not diagnosed with syphilis and did not get treated at that time. His most recent RPR titer was 1:16. HIV serology and other STD tests were all negative. His wife and his 3 kids were negative for syphilis. Due to serological evidence of syphilis and neurological symptoms, we arranged him to get a lumbar puncture to rule out neurosyphilis.
Results. His CSF study showed positive venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL), WBC cell count 44 cells/ul (lymphocytes 80%, Neutrophil 20%), Glucose 50 mg/ dl, Protein 75 mg/dl. Based on the CSF study, he was diagnosed with neurosyphilis and was treated with intravenous Penicillin G 3-4 million units every 4 hours for 14 days, followed by Benzathine Penicillin 2.4million units intramuscularly on day 21.
Conclusion. This is an unusual case because his false negative RPR result has hindered the prompt diagnosis and management of syphilis. RPR is a nontreponemal test and therefore it is not always reliable as a diagnostic criteria. False negatives in RPR may occur in certain conditions such as in early primary or in late stage syphilis and prozone phenomenon. This case illustrates the importance of using a reverse sequence algorithm in diagnosing syphilis. Thorough history taking is also crucial in conjunction with serological tests to determine the diagnosis and to ensure appropriate treatment. Background. Herpes Simplex encephalitis (HSE) is the most common cause of encephalitis hospitalizations with a known etiology. However, it remains a challenge to capture a comprehensive and robust understanding of the disease, particularly for long term outcomes after acute diagnosis and treatment. In particular, there is a growing body of literature showing increased concern for recurrent encephalopathic disease several weeks after initial HSE recovery. We sought to describe and analyze features associated with all cause readmissions and encephalopathy associated readmissions amongst HSE cases.
Methods. HSE hospitalizations and 60-day rehospitalizations were assessed in a retrospective cohort using linked hospitalizations from the Healthcare Utilization Project (HCUP) National Readmission Database (NRD) from 2010 through 2017. Risk factors for all-cause readmissions and encephalopathy associated readmissions were assessed with a weighted logistic regression model.
Results. There were 10,272 HSE cases in the United States between 2010 and 2017, resulting in a national rate of 4.95 per 100,000 hospitalizations. A total of 23.7% were readmitted at least once within 60-days. Patients that were readmitted were older (mean age 62.4 vs. 57.9, p< 0.0001), had a greater number of procedures at the index hospitalization (aOR 1.03, p< 0.0001) and have a higher Charlson comorbidity score (aOR 1.11, p< 0.0001). Amongst those readmitted, 465 (16.5%) had an encephalopathy related diagnosis. Over eight years, the prevalence of encephalopathy associated readmissions increased from 0.12 to 0.20 (figure 1). Encephalopathy specific readmissions were found to be associated with greater age (mean age 6.9 vs. 61.7, p = 0.004) and findings of cerebral edema at index hospitalization (aOR 2.16, p < 0.0001).

Most Common Diagnosis Groups Listed at the 60-Day Readmission
Conclusion. HSE 60-day readmissions are relatively common, particularly among older and sicker individuals. Readmissions were often associated with new neurological symptoms concerning for either recurrent or new encephalopathic events. Early signs and symptoms of neurological disease at index were correlated with encephalopathic specific readmissions.
Disclosures Background. Although trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) has consistently demonstrated significant interindividual variability, therapeutic drug monitoring is used to optimize dosing and avoid adverse reactions that may contribute to treatment interruption. While data exists on the use of SMX level monitoring in pneumocystis, there is a lack of data in SMX serum monitoring utility for invasive Nocardia infections.
Methods. We retrospectively reviewed adults who received TMP-SMX to treat nocardial brain abscess (BA) and underwent SMX testing level from January 2010 to December 2020.