Neuropsychological impairments following hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

Recently an outbreak of acute respiratory infection associated with the hantavirus occurred in the southwestern United States. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a life threatening illness that carries with it a high mortality rate. Patients with HPS experience prolonged periods of hypoxemia requiring mechanical ventilation and treatment in intensive care units. We have recently seen 2 survivors of HPS. A neuropsychological test battery was administered immediately following their acute hospitalization and at 1 year postrecovery from HPS. Both patients exhibited cognitive impairments immediately following HPS as well as persistent cognitive impairments at 1 year. The cognitive impairments seen in these two HPS survivors are similar to those seen in other patients who have experienced brain anoxia, including memory impairments. It is also possible that hantavirus may directly cause brain injury with concomitant cognitive impairments. Additional research needs to be carried out in order to determine the extent and severity of the cognitive impairments in survivors of HPS.