Replication FailureOpen accessMedicine· cited by 9

Safety and efficacy of adjunct dexamethasone in adults with herpes simplex virus encephalitis in the UK (DexEnceph): a multicentre, observer-blind, randomised, phase 3, controlled trial

Tom Solomon; Cory Hooper; Ava Easton; Anna Rosala-Hallas; Bethany Facer; Perry Moore; Simon S. Keller; Thomas Whitfield · 2026 · The Lancet Neurology

WASTE classifies this as Replication Failure · AI classification, approximate

A previously reported effect did not replicate here — verify it holds before you build on it.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis is characterised by inflammation and swelling of the brain, resulting in death or severe neurocognitive sequelae. HSV encephalitis is treated with the antiviral aciclovir but still has substantial mortality and morbidity. Adjunct corticosteroids are sometimes used, but whether they improve the outcome is unclear. We aimed to establish the safety and efficacy of adjunct corticosteroids in HSV encephalitis. METHODS: In this multicentre, observer-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial, adults with HSV encephalitis admitted to 53 hospitals in the UK we

Abstract by Tom Solomon; Cory Hooper; Ava Easton; Anna Rosala-Hallas; Bethany Facer; Perry Moore; Simon S. Keller; Thomas Whitfield, The Lancet Neurology (2026) — licensed CC BY 4.0.

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