Young patient survives deadly virus with minimal neurological
deficits
EEE is a rare
mosquito-borne virus that can be deadly to humans. While it is mostly
asymptomatic in humans, it can cause a neuroinvasive infection with a high rate
of mortality. These cases typically present as a generalized illness with
fever, headache, chills and vomiting. Only a handful of cases of EEE are
reported in the U.S. each year.
"Every summer we hear about cases of EEE, and for the severe cases the outcomes are rarely favorable," said lead author Linda C. Wendell, M.D., of the department of neurology and neurosurgery at Rhode Island Hospital. "We were able to diagnose this patient quickly, and through an aggressive approach we were able to manage brain swelling, stop his seizures and significantly minimize brain injury."
Wendell continued,
"The patient was in great physical health, which no doubt contributed to
his recovery. It was a scary time for a few weeks, but he continues to make
progress and we could not have hoped for a better outcome."
According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, EEE is one of the most severe
mosquito-transmitted diseases in the U.S. It has a mortality rate of
approximately 33 percent, and those who survive are likely to suffer
significant brain damage. No specific treatment for EEE has been identified,
rather care is based on the patient's symptoms.
"There is no
protocol for avoiding EEE, other than to be careful," Wendell said.
"Unfortunately in many areas of the country, mosquitoes are simply a fact
of life -- we can get bitten by them at any time during the warm weather
months. But by protecting yourself with appropriate clothing, mosquito
repellent and staying indoors during peak mosquito hours (dusk), you can
minimize risk."
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There was no outside
funding for this study. Wendell's principal affiliation is Rhode Island
Hospital, a member hospital of the Lifespan health system in Rhode Island. She
also has an academic appointment at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown
University, departments of neurology and neurosurgery. Other researchers
involved in the study are N. Stevenson Potter, M.D., Ph.D., and Bradford B.
Thompson, M.D., also of the departments of neurology and neurosurgery; July L.
Roth, M.D. department of neurology at Rhode Island Hospital and the Alpert
Medical School; and Stephen P. Salloway, M.D., M.S., department of neurology at
Butler Hospital and the Alpert Medical School.