title: Powassan virus infection: case series and literature review from a single institution.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Powassan virus is a flavivirus related to eastern hemisphere's tick-borne encephalitis viruses. It can cause a rare but potentially life-threatening disease including encephalitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report four cases of POWV infection in Minnesota and North Dakota with known exposure to tick bites in 2011. Our first case was an 18-year-old male who dramatically presented with seizure and headache with positive serum analysis for Powassan virus immunoglobulin M. The second case was a 60 year old gentleman with intraparenchymal hemorrhage and was diagnosed via cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Thirdly, a 61 year old male developed altered mental status and encephalitis. Our fourth patient was a 69 year old male who had headache and non-focal weakness who was diagnosed with serum analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptoms of Powassan virus infection ranged from headaches to seizures and severe neurological symptoms. This study serves to highlight the increased detection of Powassan virus infection in the central north United States. This report focuses on the increasing incidence that can lead to increasing efforts for raising awareness regarding this infection. There is a need for clinician vigilance and public attention due to its increasing detection, westward progression and varied clinical presentations.
authors.affiliation: Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND 58122-0170, USA. ravalmihir@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mihir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raval
authors.forename: Mayank
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.forename: Dubert
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alonto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D004675:Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013987:Ticks; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed