Abstract

LOPEZ, Horacio et al. Saint Louis encephalitis virus in Buenos Aires city during the outbreak of dengue in 2009. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2011, vol.71, n.3, pp.247-250. ISSN 0025-7680.

We report the case of a male, 80-year-old resident in the City of Buenos Aires, with a diagnosis of St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) during a countrywide dengue outbreak, from January to May 2009. The patient had a chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with chlorambucil, prostate cancer (hormone therapy and radiotherapy) and images consistent with bone metastases. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed pleocytosis with a predominance of mononuclear cells and high protein concentration. Bacteria, fungi and mycobacteria cultures, as well as the PCR for herpes virus, HSV, CMV and EBV, were negative. We confirmed the diagnosis of SLE by detection of IgM antibodies in both CSF and serum sample with IgG seroconversion by neutralization in cell cultures and negative results for other flaviviruses with known circulation in Argentina. We review the evidence for the presence of the St. Louis virus in our country and point to the importance of the diagnosis and the search of other Flavivirus in suspected dengue cases with severe or atypical presentation. This work emphasizes the need to strengthen both the epidemiological surveillance of SLE, and vector control to prevent different infections transmitted by mosquitoes and to understand their true impact on public health in Argentina.

Keywords : Saint Louis encephalitis; Flavivirus; Mosquito-borne infections; Antibodies.

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