Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Post–Heart Transplantation: A Case Report

First described in the United States in the late 1990s, West Nile virus (WNV) infection following solid organ transplantation is a rare but life-threatening complication. The many ways in which WNV may be acquired, patient specific risk factors, and variability in clinical severity present challenge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transplantation proceedings 2018-12, Vol.50 (10), p.4057-4061
Main Authors: Dong, E., Morris, K., Sodhi, G., Chang, D., Czer, L., Chung, J., Zabner, R., Raastad, K., Klapper, E., Kobashigawa, J., Nurok, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Fatal Outcome
Heart Transplantation - adverse effects
Humans
Male
West Nile Fever - transmission
West Nile virus
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Summary:First described in the United States in the late 1990s, West Nile virus (WNV) infection following solid organ transplantation is a rare but life-threatening complication. The many ways in which WNV may be acquired, patient specific risk factors, and variability in clinical severity present challenges to health care providers caring for these patients. •The most common mode of transmission to humans is a mosquito bite; however, other means have been documented, including blood transfusion, organ transplantation, percutaneous inoculation, breast milk, and trans-placental.•Risk factors for neuroinvasive disease include advanced age (>70-year-olds have a 20-fold increased risk), sex (male > female), and immunosuppressed individuals (recipients of solid organ transplants have a 40-fold increased risk).•West Nile virus (WNV) infection following solid organ transplantation is a rare but life-threatening complication.•The delayed onset poses a challenge for diagnosis; therefore, it is important to maintain a high index of suspicion in any transplant patient with a fever of unknown origin—with or without neurologic symptoms.
ISSN:0041-1345
1873-2623
DOI:10.1016/j.transproceed.2018.08.036