NOx as new targets of treatment in influenza-associated encephalopathy

Abstract

The number of children with a new type of influenza-associated encephalopathy is increasing in Japan on a nationwide scale. It is associated with a high mortality rate of approximately 30% and there are no efficient treatments. Approximately half of the patients have sequelae despite anti-cytokine therapies. Severe cases showed high levels of free radicals in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and previous studies suggest that free-radical scavengers may be effective to reduce sequelae. We presented two cases where a new radical scavenger, edaravone, was administered in addition to anti-cytokine therapies and reviewed our findings in the context of previously published papers.