Rare and Deadly: The Emergence of Autoimmune Encephalitis in Vietnam

The number of patients with autoimmune encephalitis at Cho Ray Hospital has increased dramatically, with 17 cases admitted in the past 18 months. This condition is caused by antibodies produced by the body, which damage brain tissue. Most cases are linked to ovarian teratoma, and four patients have succumbed to the disease. Dr. Le Quoc Hung, head of the Department of Tropical Diseases and Anti-Poison Resuscitation Unit at Cho Ray Hospital, notes that this condition has become more prevalent in Vietnam in recent months, making it a newly discovered illness.

Patients with autoimmune encephalitis often require complex and expensive treatment, which can cost up to one billion VND per patient. Surgical intervention may be required for some cases involving ovarian teratoma, but this can affect fertility and endocrine function in the long term. Treatment involves a combination of interventions like plasma exchange, medication, and hormone therapy for some patients.

The early detection of autoimmune encephalitis is critical for effective treatment as delayed diagnosis can lead to severe consequences. Doctors are working on developing national standards for diagnosing and treating this condition. Symptoms like memory loss, behavioral changes or seizures may indicate that a patient has autoimmune encephalitis.

Healthcare providers aim to improve outcomes for patients with this challenging condition by raising awareness and improving diagnostic capabilities. The treatment process can be complex and expensive, but early detection is essential for effective treatment.

In conclusion, autoimmune encephalitis is a serious condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to avoid severe consequences. The prevalence of this illness has increased significantly in recent months in Vietnam making it an emerging disease that requires urgent attention from healthcare providers.

At Cho Ray Hospital, most cases of autoimmune encephalitis are linked to ovarian teratoma, which can affect fertility and endocrine function if surgical intervention is required. Treatment costs average around one billion VND per patient and involves a combination of interventions like plasma exchange, medication and hormone therapy.

It’s crucial that healthcare providers continue to develop national standards for diagnosing and treating this condition while also raising awareness among the public about its symptoms so that they can seek medical help early enough.

Overall, while autoimmune encephalitis is a rare but serious disease that requires specialized care, with continued research efforts from healthcare providers worldwide we hope that we will see improvements in both diagnosis rates and overall outcomes for patients affected by this challenging condition.