Olsen Elizabeth A, Quinones Alexander K, Vo Timothy L
Emergency Medicine, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, USA.
Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, USA.
Cureus. 2024 Jul 30;16(7):e65777. doi: 10.7759/cureus.65777. eCollection 2024 Jul.
West Nile virus (WNV) is a single-stranded RNA virus causing a wide spectrum of diseases. Neuroinvasive conditions such as meningitis and encephalitis are feared complications of WNV infection. Here, we describe the case of a 78-year-old male whose only initial presenting symptoms were fever and transient diplopia, whose initial MRI imaging with and without contrast did not reveal any abnormalities. He was discharged, only to return to care the next day; lumbar puncture was performed suggesting bacterial meningitis, and he was admitted and given antibiotics. Repeat MRI was negative, and he developed an altered mental status requiring intubation. WNV neuroinvasive disease was subsequently found after serology was performed. Supportive care was given, and he made a full recovery with no residual deficits. This case highlights an unusual presentation of WNV encephalitis and highlights the difficulty that can be present in diagnosing this disease.
西尼罗河病毒(WNV)是一种单链RNA病毒,可引发多种疾病。脑膜炎和脑炎等神经侵袭性病症是WNV感染令人担忧的并发症。在此,我们描述了一名78岁男性的病例,其最初的唯一症状是发热和短暂性复视,其最初的增强和未增强MRI成像均未显示任何异常。他出院了,但第二天又回来就诊;腰椎穿刺提示细菌性脑膜炎,他被收治并接受了抗生素治疗。重复MRI检查结果为阴性,他出现了精神状态改变,需要进行插管。随后在进行血清学检查后发现了WNV神经侵袭性疾病。给予了支持性治疗,他完全康复,没有留下任何后遗症。该病例突出了WNV脑炎的一种不寻常表现,并突出了诊断这种疾病时可能存在的困难。