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Previous Volume 347:1279-1280 October 17, 2002 Number 16 Next

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To the Editor: Muscle weakness is a common finding and an important predictor of death in patients with West Nile virus encephalitis.^1,2 Yet this important sign does not have a defined pathological basis. In monkeys, horses, and birds, West Nile virus causes poliomyelitis.^3,4,5 Our clinical and electrodiagnostic findings in three consecutive patients with confirmed West Nile virus infection suggest that the virus also attacks the spinal cord in humans.

Patient 1, a 56-year-old man, presented with fever, chills, night sweats, myalgias, and confusion. Weakness gradually developed in his arms, along with flaccid paralysis in his right leg, areflexia, bladder dysfunction, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Related Letters:

Spinal Cord Disease in West Nile Virus Infection
Kelley T. W., Prayson R. A., Isada C. M., John T. J., Leis A. A., Stokic D. S., Fratkin J.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2003; 348:564-566, Feb 6, 2003. Correspondence

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