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Case Series of Severe Neurologic Sequelae of Ebola Virus Disease during Epidemic, Sierra Leone.

Authors :
Howlett PJ
Walder AR
Lisk DR
Fitzgerald F
Sevalie S
Lado M
N'jai A
Brown CS
Sahr F
Sesay F
Read JM
Steptoe PJ
Beare NAV
Dwivedi R
Solbrig M
Deen GF
Solomon T
Semple MG
Scott JT
Source :
Emerging infectious diseases [Emerg Infect Dis] 2018 Aug; Vol. 24 (8), pp. 1412-1421.
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

We describe a case series of 35 Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors during the epidemic in West Africa who had neurologic and accompanying psychiatric sequelae. Survivors meeting neurologic criteria were invited from a cohort of 361 EVD survivors to attend a preliminary clinic. Those whose severe neurologic features were documented in the preliminary clinic were referred for specialist neurologic evaluation, ophthalmologic examination, and psychiatric assessment. Of 35 survivors with neurologic sequelae, 13 had migraine headache, 2 stroke, 2 peripheral sensory neuropathy, and 2 peripheral nerve lesions. Of brain computed tomography scans of 17 patients, 3 showed cerebral and/or cerebellar atrophy and 2 confirmed strokes. Sixteen patients required mental health followup; psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 5. The 10 patients who experienced greatest disability had co-existing physical and mental health conditions. EVD survivors may have ongoing central and peripheral nervous system disorders, including previously unrecognized migraine headaches and stroke.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1080-6059
Volume :
24
Issue :
8
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Emerging infectious diseases
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
30014839
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2408.171367