Western equine encephalitis: a pediatric case report.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Neurology
• Public Health

Background:

• Western equine encephalitis (WEE) is a zoonotic alphavirus infection with humans as accidental hosts.
• Neurological complications, including encephalitis, are more common in children.
• WEE virus is typically associated with rural environments.

Observation:

• A previously healthy 13-year-old male in an urban area of Buenos Aires, Argentina, presented with meningoencephalitis.
• The patient's condition was severe, and common pathogens were not identified.
• IgG antibodies for WEE virus were detected in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

Findings:

• Diagnosis of WEE virus infection was confirmed via serological testing.
• This case demonstrates WEE virus can cause severe neurological disease in an urban setting.
• The patient's presentation suggests WEE virus is an underdiagnosed cause of encephalitis.

Implications:

• WEE virus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of encephalitis, regardless of geographic location (rural or urban).
• Increased awareness and diagnostic testing for WEE virus are crucial for timely patient management.
• Public health surveillance may need to account for WEE virus in urban populations.