Open AccessJamestown Canyon encephalitis with NORSE and electrographic response to ribavirin: a case report
Author(s) -
Savard Martin,
Paradis Alain,
Francoeur Charles L.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
epilepsia open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.247
H-Index - 16
ISSN - 2470-9239
DOI - 10.1002/epi4.12113
Subject(s) - ribavirin , etiology , status epilepticus , virus , medicine , canyon , encephalitis , refractory (planetary science) , virology , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , epilepsy , pathology , biology , psychiatry , geography , hepatitis c virus , cartography , astrobiology
Summary New‐onset refractory status epilepticus ( NORSE ) is a rare condition where refractory seizures occur with no obvious cause in an otherwise healthy individual. We report here the first case of a patient with NORSE caused by Jamestown Canyon virus, an emerging virus throughout North America. This is the first patient with Jamestown Canyon virus encephalitis treated by a specific antiviral agent, in this case intravenous ribavirin, with electroencephalography ( EEG ) evidence of improvement. This is finally the first reported death caused by this virus, here secondary to intensive care unit complications. Therefore, Jamestown Canyon virus should be considered as a NORSE etiology, and ribavirin may be an effective treatment of that condition, especially if used early.