A case of monocytic pleocytosis in west nile virus encephalitis and review of the literature

Abstract

West Nile Virus (WNV) encephalitis CSF findings are usually described as polymorphonuclear pleocytosis initially followed by lymphocytic pleocytosis. We report a 68-year-old female with WNV encephalitis monocytic pleocytosis and flaccid quadriparesis with ventral roots enhancement. We suggest the inclusion of neuroinvasive WNV in the differential of encephalopathy with flaccid paralysis despite a monocytic pleocytosis. We also suggest the consideration of neuroinvasive in acute polyneuropathies unresponsive to immunotherapies.

Keywords

• cerebrospinal fluid
• quadriparesis
• west nile fever encephalitis.