Emerging Cases of Powassan Virus Encephalitis in New England: Clinical Presentation, Imaging, and Review of the Literature

Conclusions. We describe 8 cases of POWV encephalitis in Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2013–2015. Prior to this, there had been only 2 cases of POWV encephalitis identified in Massachusetts. These cases may represent emergence of this virus in a region where its vector, I. scapularis, is known to be prevalent or may represent the emerging diagnosis of an underappreciated pathogen. We recommend testing for POWV in patients who present with encephalitis in the spring to fall in New England.

Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases - March 1, 2016 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Piantadosi, A., Rubin, D. B., McQuillen, D. P., Hsu, L., Lederer, P. A., Ashbaugh, C. D., Duffalo, C., Duncan, R., Thon, J., Bhattacharyya, S., Basgoz, N., Feske, S. K., Lyons, J. L. Tags: ARTICLES AND COMMENTARIES Source Type: research