Acute transverse myelitis following dengue virus infection

J Clin Virol. 2006 Mar;35(3):310-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2005.08.006. Epub 2005 Oct 11.

Abstract

The spinal cord is infrequently affected following dengue virus infection. We report a case of transverse myelitis that developed 2 weeks after acute dengue infection and review the literature to elucidate the pathogenesis of spinal cord involvement in dengue infection. We postulate that temporal factors may play a role in the different clinical manifestations, i.e. that acute parainfectious dengue infection presents with flaccid paralysis, whereas late-stage (postinfectious) dengue infection, presents with spastic weakness. Further studies need to be performed to elucidate the mechanisms of spinal neurological damage in dengue.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dengue / complications*
  • Dengue / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Myelitis, Transverse / etiology*
  • Myelitis, Transverse / physiopathology