TY - JOUR
T1 - West nile virus-associated encephalitis in recipients of renal and pancreas transplants
T2 - Case series and literature review
AU - Ravindra, Kadiyala V.
AU - Freifeld, Alison G.
AU - Kalil, Andre C.
AU - Mercer, David F.
AU - Grant, Wendy J.
AU - Botha, Jean F.
AU - Wrenshall, Lucile E.
AU - Stevens, R. Brian
PY - 2004/5/1
Y1 - 2004/5/1
N2 - Although West Nile fever is mild in the vast majority of infected persons, there is growing evidence that the disease may be more severe in the immunocompromised population. We describe 3 recipients of kidney or pancreas transplants who developed West Nile fever, 2 of whom had meningoencephalitis. As is the norm when treating serious infections in transplant recipients, a reduction of immunosuppression was pursued for these patients. Despite the severe nature of the disease in 2 patients, all recovered from the disease. The time course of neurologic recovery in the 2 patients with meningoencephalitis is highlighted. We also review the literature on West Nile fever in organ transplant recipients. In areas where West Nile virus is endemic, one must have a high index of suspicion for the illness when dealing with fever in transplant recipients.
AB - Although West Nile fever is mild in the vast majority of infected persons, there is growing evidence that the disease may be more severe in the immunocompromised population. We describe 3 recipients of kidney or pancreas transplants who developed West Nile fever, 2 of whom had meningoencephalitis. As is the norm when treating serious infections in transplant recipients, a reduction of immunosuppression was pursued for these patients. Despite the severe nature of the disease in 2 patients, all recovered from the disease. The time course of neurologic recovery in the 2 patients with meningoencephalitis is highlighted. We also review the literature on West Nile fever in organ transplant recipients. In areas where West Nile virus is endemic, one must have a high index of suspicion for the illness when dealing with fever in transplant recipients.
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U2 - 10.1086/383325
DO - 10.1086/383325
M3 - Review article
C2 - 15127337
AN - SCOPUS:2342625933
SN - 1058-4838
VL - 38
SP - 1257
EP - 1260
JO - Clinical Infectious Diseases
JF - Clinical Infectious Diseases
IS - 9
ER -