Adenovirus Meningoencephalitis and Neurocysticercosis Co-infection: First Case from India

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• Adenovirus typically causes respiratory infections but can lead to rare central nervous system (CNS) involvement, ranging from aseptic meningitis to acute necrotizing encephalopathy.
• Viral etiologies of CNS infections vary with patient age.
• Increasing reports link viral infections to CNS disease.

Observation:

• A case of an 18-year-old immunocompetent female student presenting with fever, headache, and altered behavior, progressing to altered sensorium.
• The patient exhibited symptoms suggestive of meningoencephalitis, posing diagnostic challenges due to the unusual presentation of adenoviral CNS infection.
• Advanced diagnostics, including molecular methods, were crucial in identifying the exact etiology.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with adenovirus meningoencephalitis co-infected with neurocysticercosis.
• Despite the co-infection, the patient experienced a favorable outcome.
• This represents the first reported case of concurrent adenovirus meningoencephalitis and neurocysticercosis with a successful resolution.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering diverse viral etiologies in CNS infections, even in immunocompetent individuals.
• The successful management of this unusual co-infection suggests that prompt and accurate diagnosis can lead to favorable outcomes.
• Highlights the need for advanced diagnostic tools to identify complex co-infections in neurology and infectious disease.