TY - JOUR AU - Sejvar, James J. AU - Leis, A. Arturo AU - Stokic, Dobrivoje S. AU - Van Gerpen, Jay A. AU - Marfin, Anthony A. AU - Webb, Risa AU - Haddad, Maryam B. AU - Tierney, Bruce C. AU - Slavinski, Sally A. AU - Polk, Jo Lynn AU - Dostrow, Victor AU - Winkelmann, Michael AU - Petersen, Lyle R. T1 - Acute Flaccid Paralysis and West Nile Virus Infection T2 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal PY - 2003 VL - 9 IS - 7 SP - 788 SN - 1080-6059 AB - Acute weakness associated with West Nile virus (WNV) infection has previously been attributed to a peripheral demyelinating process (Guillain-Barré syndrome); however, the exact etiology of this acute flaccid paralysis has not been systematically assessed. To thoroughly describe the clinical, laboratory, and electrodiagnostic features of this paralysis syndrome, we evaluated acute flaccid paralysis that developed in seven patients in the setting of acute WNV infection, consecutively identified in four hospitals in St. Tammany Parish and New Orleans, Louisiana, and Jackson, Mississippi. All patients had acute onset of asymmetric weakness and areflexia but no sensory abnormalities. Clinical and electrodiagnostic data suggested the involvement of spinal anterior horn cells, resulting in a poliomyelitis-like syndrome. In areas in which transmission is occurring, WNV infection should be considered in patients with acute flaccid paralysis. Recognition that such weakness may be of spinal origin may prevent inappropriate treatment and diagnostic testing. KW - West Nile virus KW - poliomyelitis KW - spinal cord KW - electromyography KW - muscle KW - weakness KW - Guillain-Barré syndrome KW - research KW - United States DO - 10.3201/eid0907.030129 UR - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/9/7/03-0129_article ER - End of Reference