Atypical presentation of West Nile encephalitis

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) causes both sporadic infection and outbreaks that may be associated with severe neurologic involvement. The infection is transmitted to humans mainly by mosquito bites, and the virus is preserved in a cycle in which birds are the main host. The typical involvement of the central nervous system is completely indistinguishable from meningitis and encephalitis related to other pathogens. In this report we described the atypical presentation of a WNV meningoencephalitis in a 81-y.o. female patient, showing psychiatric manifestations at the onset. Anamnestic information was essential to progress to the correct diagnosis. Targeted search for the causative agent of meningoencephalitis was perfected after learning that the patient lived in an area adjacent to a nature reserve.