Fatal influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 encephalopathy in immunocompetent man

Emerg Infect Dis. 2013 Jun;19(6):1005-7. doi: 10.3201/eid1906.130062.

Abstract

We report an immunocompetent patient who had fatal encephalopathy after mild influenza. He rapidly died after unusual symptoms related to intracerebral thrombosis and hemorrhage. A brain biopsy specimen was positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus RNA, but a lung biopsy specimen and cerebrospinal spinal fluid samples were negative.

Keywords: adult; cerebral venous thrombosis; encephalitis; encephalopathy; influenza; influenza A(H1N1)pdm09; influenza virus; neurologic complication; seizure; viruses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis
  • Brain Diseases / etiology*
  • Brain Diseases / immunology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype* / genetics
  • Influenza, Human / complications*
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed