Powassan Virus Infection Detected by Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing, Ohio, USA

Abstract

We describe a 4-year-old male patient in Ohio, USA, who had encephalitis caused by Powassan virus lineage 2. Virus was detected by using metagenomic next-generation sequencing and confirmed with IgM and plaque reduction neutralization assays. Clinicians should recognize changing epidemiology of tickborne viruses to enhance encephalitis diagnosis and management.

Keywords

• Powassan virus
• vector-borne infections
• viruses
• zoonoses
• tickborne infection
• emerging infections