Use of interferon-alpha in patients with West Nile encephalitis: report of 2 cases.
We describe 2 patients with West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis who were treated experimentally with interferon (IFN)-alpha. Both patients demonstrated substantial improvement in mentation and speech on the second day of experimental therapy, and neither required endotracheal intubation or admission to the intensive care unit during hospitalization. Moreover, during the 9-month follow-up period, one patient achieved complete recovery, and the other nearly achieved complete resolution of sequelae. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of the use of IFN-alpha to treat WNV encephalitis. Clinical trials are underway to further define the role of this therapy in persons with WNV encephalitis.
Kalil
Andre C
AC
Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5400, USA. akalil@unmc.edu
Devetten
Marcel P
MP
Singh
Sanjay
S
Lesiak
Brandi
B
Poage
David P
DP
Bargenquast
Kim
K
Fayad
Pierre
P
Freifeld
Alison G
AG
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha