Transverse Myelitis as an Unusual Complication of Dengue Fever

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017 Feb 8;96(2):380-381. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0284. Epub 2016 Dec 12.

Abstract

Dengue fever is the most common arbovirus disease, and presents with a large spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic disease through to the development of dengue hemorrhagic fever. These extreme cases can lead to dengue shock syndrome, and sometimes death. Spinal cord involvement in dengue virus (DENV) infections is rare. Here, we report a case in which the patient developed acute transverse myelitis (TM) without paraparesis following a DENV infection. This case highlights the importance of physicians' awareness of the possible link between DENV and TM in endemic areas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Dengue / complications*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Myelitis, Transverse / diagnostic imaging
  • Myelitis, Transverse / etiology*
  • Myelitis, Transverse / virology
  • Spinal Cord / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Cord / virology
  • Young Adult