Title:West Nile Viral Meningoencephalitis in an Immunocompetent Female: A Case Report from Western Rajasthan, India
Volume: 21
Issue: 7
Author(s): Kumar S Abhishek, Sarika Tiwari, Prawin Kumar, Vijaya Lakshmi Nag*, Jaya Pamnani and Sarbesh Tiwari
Affiliation:
- Department of Microbiology, Regional Level Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratory, AIIMS, Jodhpur, Rajasthan,India
Keywords:
Meningoencephalitis, immunocompetent, IgM ELISA, West Nile virus, viral serology, RNA.
Abstract: Background: West Nile virus (WNV) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the
family Flaviviridae and genus Flavivirus. The virus is transmitted primarily by the bite of Culex species
mosquito and is of global concern. The infection is associated with a wide spectrum of signs and
symptoms and is more fatal in the elderly, infants, and immunocompromised individuals.
Case Presentation: We report a case of WNV meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent female
who presented with features of acute meningitis with a 5-days history. After the radiological suspicion
of viral meningoencephalitis, viral serology was performed and was reactive for IgM antibody against
WNV, delaying the diagnosis for at least 5 days.
Conclusion: The purpose of this case report is to prime the treating physicians on the usefulness of
viral serology in such a scenario. Viral serology is a simple and relatively rapid technique to diagnose
or rule out the suspected viral cause of meningoencephalitis and minimize the time gap between diagnosis
and start of supporting treatment wherever appropriate antivirals are not available for clinical use.
