Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus in a Patient with Dengue Fever

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Neuroscience
• Virology

Background:

• Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness caused by flaviviruses, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic to severe forms like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.
• Neurological complications, such as encephalitis and seizures, are rare in dengue virus infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an uncommon case of dengue encephalitis with nonconvulsive status epilepticus.
• To emphasize the diagnostic challenges posed by mild initial symptoms in dengue with central nervous system involvement.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 26-year-old patient presenting with altered mental status and pyrexia.
• Clinical evaluation and diagnosis of dengue encephalitis with nonconvulsive status epilepticus.

Main Results:

• The patient was diagnosed with dengue encephalitis presenting with nonconvulsive status epilepticus.
• This presentation is highly unusual for dengue-expanded syndrome.

Conclusions:

• Dengue virus can cause severe central nervous system complications, including encephalitis and status epilepticus.
• Mild initial symptoms in dengue infection can mask serious neurological involvement, complicating early diagnosis.
• Increased clinical suspicion for dengue encephalitis is warranted, even with non-specific early signs.