Powassan Virus Infection

Active surveillance of pathogens from ticks collected in New York State suburban parks and schoolyards

“…Furthermore, medical diagnosis of tick-borne diseases in children can be challenging due to the occurrence of common paediatric conditions showing similar signs and symptoms of disease (Esposito, Bosis, Sabatini, Tagliaferri, & Principi, 2013). The risk of tick-borne illnesses in children can be severe; in the case of bites from a DTV-infected tick, children may develop an infection that culminates in severe lifelong health consequences, or even death (McLean & Donohue, 1959;Smith et al, 1974).…”

Spinal Cord Ventral Horns and Lymphoid Organ Involvement in Powassan Virus Infection in a Mouse Model

“…Previous analysis of the spleen in a BALB/c mouse model described white pulp activation, ill-defined germinal centers with tingible body macrophages, and white pulp populated by large blast-like cells; however, no POWV positive cells were detected [17] and this previous publication did not examine lymph nodes. The absence of POWV staining in the BALB/c model [14] can be a mouse lineage peculiarity or a difference in the sensitivity of the immunoassay. In our study, a high level of tingible body macrophages was present in both lymphoid organs.…”

Emerging Tick-Borne Diseases

“…The incubation period of POWV extends from 8 to 34 days (216,217). A prodrome of nonspecific symptoms lasting 1 to 3 days may include sore throat, drowsiness, generalized malaise, nausea, headache, myalgia, and disorientation (216). Early symptoms include a sudden onset of fever with a temperature of up to 40°C and convulsions (216,217).…”

“…A prodrome of nonspecific symptoms lasting 1 to 3 days may include sore throat, drowsiness, generalized malaise, nausea, headache, myalgia, and disorientation (216). Early symptoms include a sudden onset of fever with a temperature of up to 40°C and convulsions (216,217). Severe disease manifests as encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, and aseptic meningitis with vomiting, respiratory distress, prolonged fever, stupor, and convulsions.…”

“…Patients may experience generalized weakness, ataxia, tremor, and ocular symptoms (206). In some cases, a fine macular erythematous rash has been reported (138,168,(216)(217)(218)(219)(220), as have muscle weakness or rigidity and some degree of paralysis in some patients (168,206,217,218,(221)(222)(223)(224). In the most severe cases, patients become comatose, and a fatality rate of approximately 10% has been reported (197,225).…”