Meningoencephalitis probably associated with dengue infection in an 84-year-old patient: A case report

Dengue meningoencephalitis is a rare neurological complication of dengue infection, characterized by inflammation of the brain and leptomeninges. We present the case of an 81-year-old female patient with a five-day history of fever, accompanied by altered consciousness, seizures, and meningeal signs...

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Main Author: Carlos Mejia Irias
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:IDCases
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000708
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author Carlos Mejia Irias
author_facet Carlos Mejia Irias
author_sort Carlos Mejia Irias
collection DOAJ
description Dengue meningoencephalitis is a rare neurological complication of dengue infection, characterized by inflammation of the brain and leptomeninges. We present the case of an 81-year-old female patient with a five-day history of fever, accompanied by altered consciousness, seizures, and meningeal signs. Dengue infection was confirmed by a positive RT-PCR result in blood, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis, suggestive of a viral infectious process. Additionally, an electroencephalogram showed focal epileptiform activity. This is the first reported case of dengue meningoencephalitis in Central America. This case highlights the importance of considering dengue virus as a potential etiological agent in patients presenting with fever and acute alterations in consciousness secondary to a viral infectious process. The publication of this case is relevant to enhance early recognition of rare neurological complications such as dengue meningoencephalitis, promoting timely intervention that may positively influence patient prognosis.
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spelling doaj-art-1c05356d61e6471f83d6d641077947d82025-08-20T02:31:11ZengElsevierIDCases2214-25092025-01-0140e0221510.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02215Meningoencephalitis probably associated with dengue infection in an 84-year-old patient: A case reportCarlos Mejia Irias0Specialist Internal Medicine at the Centro Medico El Buen Samaritano, HondurasDengue meningoencephalitis is a rare neurological complication of dengue infection, characterized by inflammation of the brain and leptomeninges. We present the case of an 81-year-old female patient with a five-day history of fever, accompanied by altered consciousness, seizures, and meningeal signs. Dengue infection was confirmed by a positive RT-PCR result in blood, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis, suggestive of a viral infectious process. Additionally, an electroencephalogram showed focal epileptiform activity. This is the first reported case of dengue meningoencephalitis in Central America. This case highlights the importance of considering dengue virus as a potential etiological agent in patients presenting with fever and acute alterations in consciousness secondary to a viral infectious process. The publication of this case is relevant to enhance early recognition of rare neurological complications such as dengue meningoencephalitis, promoting timely intervention that may positively influence patient prognosis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000708MeningoencephalitidesEncephalomeningitisDengue feverSevere dengue
spellingShingle Carlos Mejia Irias
Meningoencephalitis probably associated with dengue infection in an 84-year-old patient: A case report
IDCases
Meningoencephalitides
Encephalomeningitis
Dengue fever
Severe dengue
title Meningoencephalitis probably associated with dengue infection in an 84-year-old patient: A case report
title_full Meningoencephalitis probably associated with dengue infection in an 84-year-old patient: A case report
title_fullStr Meningoencephalitis probably associated with dengue infection in an 84-year-old patient: A case report
title_full_unstemmed Meningoencephalitis probably associated with dengue infection in an 84-year-old patient: A case report
title_short Meningoencephalitis probably associated with dengue infection in an 84-year-old patient: A case report
title_sort meningoencephalitis probably associated with dengue infection in an 84 year old patient a case report
topic Meningoencephalitides
Encephalomeningitis
Dengue fever
Severe dengue
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000708
work_keys_str_mv AT carlosmejiairias meningoencephalitisprobablyassociatedwithdengueinfectioninan84yearoldpatientacasereport