[Influenza A pH1N1 meningoencephalitis: a case report]

Abstract

The influenza virus causes epidemics and pandemics with high morbidity and mortality. According to the World Health Organization, this virus causes 3-5 million cases of severe illness and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths each year. The disease is mainly respiratory and the most common complications are pneumonia, exacerbation of underlying diseases and less frequently respiratory complications. We report a 6-year-old patient with meningoencephalitis due to a new influenza A (IA), strain pH1N1, with viral documentation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We provide detailed clinical, laboratory and imaging of the case, which responded favorably to sequels. Knowledge of this form of presentation is of great clinical and epidemiological significance due to the limited scientific evidence published internationally.