Frontiers in Neurology (Mar 2019)

Acute Seroconversion of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Coinfection With California Serogroup Encephalitis Virus

  • Jonathan J. Cho,
  • Jonathan J. Cho,
  • Joshua K. Wong,
  • Jacqueline Henkel,
  • Reordan O. DeJesus,
  • Bernadette Nazario-Lopez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00242
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a severe arboviral neuroinvasive disease with high mortality and neurological sequelae. Treatment for EEE is primarily supportive. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and high-dose steroids have been used as empirical therapy for EEE with some case reports of benefit. We report a case of a patient who presented with encephalopathy with initial cerebrospinal spinal fluid (CSF) serology analysis showing California serogroup encephalitis virus IgG positivity. However, the rapid clinical deterioration of the patient into a comatose state prompted a second CSF serology analysis that showed seroconversion of high titer Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus IgM and positive titer of California serogroup encephalitis virus IgG. The patient completed a 5-day course of empiric IVIg without concurrent corticosteroid therapy but did not show significant clinical improvement.

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