Failure of interferon alpha-2b in a patient with West Nile virus meningoencephalitis and acute flaccid paralysis.
WNV infection can cause meningoencephalitis (MNE) and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). Both syndromes are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Interferon alpha-2b (IFN-alpha-2b) inhibits WNV replication in vitro. To date, 5 patients with WNV-CNS disease have recovered neurologic function with IFN-alpha-2b. We report the first failure of IFN-alpha-2b in the treatment of WNV-MNE-AFP.
Chan-Tack
Kirk M
KM
Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. kchan@medicine.umaryland.edu
Forrest
Graeme
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins