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Updated: May 14, 2026
04:23
A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
Published on: April 28, 2019
A rare case of dengue encephalitis
Sachin Rao1, Manish Kumar, Soumik Ghosh
1Department of Medicine, PGIMER Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.
BMJ Case Reports
|February 16, 2013
Summary
Dengue encephalitis, a rare complication of dengue fever, involves direct viral invasion of the brain. This case highlights unusual MRI findings in dengue encephalitis, suggesting potential neurotropism.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Dengue fever presents with a wide clinical spectrum, from mild illness to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever and shock syndrome.
- Neurological complications are uncommon, with dengue encephalopathy being recognized but dengue encephalitis (direct viral invasion) being extremely rare.
- Dengue virus is increasingly recognized for neurotropism, indicating potential direct viral encephalitis in some cases.
Observation:
- A case of dengue encephalitis occurred during a Delhi outbreak, confirmed by serology and NS1 antigen testing.
- The patient presented with neurological symptoms attributed to dengue virus infection.
- Cerebrospinal fluid and blood tests confirmed dengue infection and aided diagnosis.
Findings:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed extensive lesions.
- Affected areas included the midbrain, cerebellum, thalamus, and bilateral medial temporal regions.
- These MRI findings were considered an uncommon manifestation for dengue encephalitis.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for dengue virus to cause direct encephalitis.
- The extensive and specific MRI abnormalities challenge the notion of dengue as a non-neurotropic virus.
- Further research into dengue viral neurotropism and its clinical manifestations is warranted.
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