A case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis following influenza virus A-H1N1 infection.
We describe a case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) occurring in a three-year old girl with influenza A (H1N1)v infection and manifesting with seizures and ataxia. The brain MRI revealed bilateral hyperintense signal changes in basal ganglia and brain stem. The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone bolus followed by tapering steroids and progressively recovered without neurologic sequelae at the latest follow-up. ADEM may represent a rare postinfectious complication following novel pandemic influenza A H1N1v which should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of associated neurologic manifestations for the specific therapeutic approach and adequate follow-up.
Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department of Pediatrics, University of Turin Regina Margherita Children's Hospital Turin, Italy - silvia.garazzino@unito.it.
S
S
Garazzino
C
C
Gabiano
C
C
Calitri
M
M
Zoppo
C
C
Scolfaro
S
S
Aguzzi
P
P
Boffi
N
N
Vigliano
P -A
P-
Tovo
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human