Neurological manifestations of dengue virus infection

Abstract

Aim: Paucity of studies on neurological manifestations in dengue virus infection prompted this study. We aim to correlate clinical, radiological and neurophysiological changes in dengue patients with neurological manifestations.

Method: Consecutive IgM seropositive dengue patients admitted in neurology ward during 2003-2005 have been prospectively evaluated. They were subjected to detailed clinical evaluation, blood counts, coagulation profile, serum chemistry including creatine kinase (CK), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cranial CT and/or MRI, electroencephalogram (EEG), nerve conduction and needle electromyography (EMG).

Results: There were 17 patients, aged 5 to 56 years; 11 presented with encephalopathy and 6 with acute motor weakness. In the patients with encephalopathy, seizures were present in 3, myoclonus in 1, CSF pleocytosis and EEG slowing in 8 each and globus pallidus and thoracic spinal cord involvement on MRI in 1 patient each. In the pure motor weakness group, CK was elevated in 5 and EMG and muscle biopsy were consistent with myositis in 1 patient each. The patients with pure motor weakness improved completely but in the encephalopathy group 3 died, 2 had partial, 1 poor and 5 complete recovery by 1 month.

Conclusion: Dengue patients presenting with encephalopathy had more severe illness and worse outcome compared to acute pure motor weakness.