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Seronegative west nile meningoencephalitis diagnosed by ophthalmologic examination with subsequent seroconversion
Justis P Ehlers1, Joseph I Markoff, Joseph I Maguire
1From the †Cataract and Primary Eye Care Service and Visual Physiology Department, and ‡Retina Service, *Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Purpose:
To describe a case of seronegative West Nile virus (WNV) meningoencephalitis definitively diagnosed with ophthalmologic examination and confirmatory repeat laboratory testing.
Design:
Diagnostic case report.
Methods:
A patient with negative serologic testing for severe viral meningoencephalitis presented with photophobia and blurred vision 2 months after initial presentation.
Results:
Examination revealed all the classic ocular findings of WNV. Repeat serologic testing confirmed positive titers for WNV.
Conclusions:
WNV may initially present as a severe meningoencephalitis with negative serology. Ophthalmic examination, particularly in symptomatic patients, may help with diagnosis. The ophthalmologist may play a critical role in evaluation of possible WNV meningoencephalitis.
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