Possible Prognostic Value of Serial Brain MRIs in Powassan Virus Encephalitis

Abstract

Powassan virus (POWV) encephalitis is a rare tickborne illness. We describe the clinical course, laboratory findings, and imaging for a patient with POWV in Massachusetts, USA. Clinical presentation and laboratory findings were nonspecific. Improvement on brain magnetic resonance imaging after 2 weeks preceded clinical improvement by months, suggesting possible prognostic value.

Keywords

• Powassan virus
• flavivirus
• deer tick encephalitis
• United States
• viruses
• magnetic resonance imaging