Eastern equine encephalitis virus infection and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a 5-month-old infant

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2009 Jun;28(6):543-5. doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e3181950e99.

Abstract

Eastern equine encephalitis virus infection is a rare sporadic central nervous system infection transmitted by a mosquito vector. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare life-threatening disease associated with the inability of an overactive immune system to effectively respond to infections. Many viruses are known to trigger primary, as well as secondary, HLH. We report a pediatric case of eastern equine encephalitis virus-associated HLH which caused severe neurologic injury and death.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / isolation & purification
  • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / complications
  • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / diagnosis*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infant
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / complications
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / diagnosis*
  • Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / drug therapy
  • Male

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents