The clinical response of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.
The aim of the study was to determine whether intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) treatment is effective in patients with West Nile Virus (WNV) neuroinvasive disease. We contacted hospital based infectious disease experts in Israeli hospitals to identify patients with WNV neuroinvasive disease who were treated with IVIG. The main outcome measure was neurological response after treatment. There were 12 patients who received IVIG and four improved within 48 h. Three patients died, 6 had partial recovery, and 3 recovered completely. Eleven of the 12 patients were infected with Israeli genotypes that are highly homologous to Europe/Africa viruses. The rapid response in some patients suggests that IVIG is effective, and might be used to treat patients with WNV neuroinvasive disease with IVIG.
Department of Internal Medicine B, Laniado Hospital, Netanya;
Zvi
Z
Shimoni
National Center for Zoonotic Viruses, Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical, Tel-Hashomer;
Hanna
H
Bin
Department of Hematology, Laniado Hospital, Netnaya;
Shlomo
S
Bulvik
Department of Internal Medicine B, Laniado Hospital, Netanya;
Mark
M
Niven
Department of Internal Medicine D, Rabin Medical Center Campus Beilinson, Petah Tikva;
Rawi
R
Hazzan
Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical, Tel-Hashomer;
Ella
E
Mendelson
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
Paul
P
Froom
IVIG; West Nile virus; case series.; neuroinvasive disease