Borderline Lepromatous Leprosy in an Italian Man |
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| Authors: | Cesare Massone Andrea Clapasson Enrico Nunzi |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Dermatology, Division of General Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Unit of Social Dermatology, National Reference Center for Hansen''s Disease, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Genoa, Italy; Interdipartimental Centre for Hansen Disease and Tropical Dermatology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy |
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| Abstract: | A 58-year-old woman living in Reunion Island and returning from Madagascar was hospitalized for neuroinvasive encephalitis and died 1 month later. West Nile virus (WNV) infection was biologically confirmed by detection of immunoglobulin M (IgM) reactive with WNV antigens in both cerebrospinal fluid and serum, and weak neutralizing activity was also detected. A veterinary survey performed in her traveling area showed a seroprevalence of WNV of 28.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 21.1–36.3) in adult poultry, confirming an active circulation of the virus. Development of a severe form could be related to a weak antibody response, because the patient presented low IgM and IgG titers. This case report underlines the constant risk of emergence of West Nile in Indian Ocean territories, including Reunion Island where competent vectors are widely present during the whole year. |
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