Related Experiment Videos
Hippocampal involvement in dengue fever.
P S D Yeo1, L Pinheiro, P Tong
1Department of General Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433. daniel_yeo@ttsh.com.sg
Singapore Medical Journal
|October 18, 2005
Summary
Dengue fever, a common flavivirus infection, can cause amnesia due to selective hippocampal involvement. This rare neurological complication was observed in a young man in Singapore.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Flaviviruses, including Dengue, are significant emerging viral threats.
- Dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and is endemic in Singapore.
Observation:
- A 25-year-old male presented with symptoms of dengue fever.
- The patient exhibited selective hippocampal involvement.
- Neurological manifestation included significant amnesia.
Findings:
- Dengue virus infection confirmed via PCR and serology.
- Brain MRI revealed bilateral hippocampal abnormalities.
- This specific presentation of amnesia linked to hippocampal damage in dengue is novel.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for dengue fever to cause unique neurological deficits.
- Suggests the hippocampus as a potential target for dengue virus neuroinvasion.
- Emphasizes the need for neurological monitoring in dengue patients presenting with cognitive symptoms.