Powassan Virus Neuropathology and Genomic Diversity in Patients With Fatal Encephalitis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Powassan virus (POWV) is an emerging cause of severe encephalitis; very little is known about human pathogenicity due to challenges in diagnosis and viral RNA recovery. We present 3 patients with fatal encephalitis due to POWV lineage II (deer tick virus).

Methods

We obtained 27 unique samples, including from brain biopsy and autopsy, and used metagenomic sequencing, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and a newly developed CRISPR-based diagnostic assay to perform the first detailed characterization of POWV compartmentalization and genomics between and within human subjects.

Results

In all 3 patients, imaging and histopathology findings were notable for profound cerebellar involvement. All patients were initially diagnosed with POW

SUBMITTER: Normandin E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7566439 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature