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Published on: March 13, 2018
Dengue fever with encephalopathy in Australia
D Row1, P Weinstein, S Murray-Smith
1Northern Regional Health Authority, Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia.
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Two Australian dengue fever cases developed severe encephalopathy, presenting with memory loss and seizures. This documentation highlights the first reported instances of dengue-associated encephalopathy in Australia, with unknown causes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness, is prevalent in tropical regions.
- An epidemic of dengue type 2 virus occurred in Charters Towers, Australia, in 1993.
- Classic dengue fever symptoms include fever, rash, and muscle pain.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with severe neurologic complications during the dengue epidemic.
- Neurologic symptoms included drowsiness, short-term memory loss, agitation, and seizures.
- These represent the first documented cases of dengue-associated encephalopathy in Australia.
Findings:
- The two cases exhibited symptoms consistent with encephalopathy.
- Encephalopathy developed in conjunction with classic dengue fever.
- The etiology of dengue-associated encephalopathy remains undetermined.
Implications:
- This study documents the initial cases of dengue-associated encephalopathy in Australia.
- It underscores the potential for severe neurologic complications from dengue fever.
- Further research is needed to understand the causes and mechanisms of dengue-associated encephalopathy.
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