The Return of the Viral Helhest: Presentation of a Western Equine Encephalitis Case Report

Abstract

Western equine encephalitis is a central nervous system disease caused by the Alphavirus virus of the Togaviridae family, transmitted by the Aedes Albifasciatus vector. We describe the case of a previously healthy 30-year-old male patient, resident in an urban area of the province of Buenos Aires, with a work history of contact with horses, who was hospitalized and diagnosed with meningoencephalitis. Due to the sluggish course of his condition that none of the most common microorganisms were isolated, an Elisa IgM antibody test was requested in cerebrospinal fluid, which was positive for western equine encephalitis virus. Although It is essential to take into account the low epidemiological incidence of the disease, and in this case, with a high mortality rate; that, despite carrying out supportive treatment, the neurological sequelae that were triggered prevented a favorable evolution in the patient.