Powassan Virus Encephalitis: A Tertiary Center Experience.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging arthropod-borne flavivirus, transmitted by Ixodes spp. ticks, which has been associated with neuroinvasive disease and poor outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted at Mayo Clinic from 2013 to 2022. We included clinical and epidemiologic data of probable and confirmed neuroinvasive POWV cases.

Results

Sixteen patients with neuroinvasive POWV were identified; their median age was 63.2 years, and 62.5% were male. Six patients presented with rhombencephalitis, 4 with isolated meningitis, 3 with meningoencephalitis, 2 with meningoencephalomyelitis, and 1 with opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome. A median time of 18 days was observed between symptom onset and diagnosis. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed lymphocytic p

SUBMITTER: Mendoza MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10810704 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature