2. Academic Validation
  3. Jamestown Canyon encephalitis with NORSE and electrographic response to ribavirin: a case report

Jamestown Canyon encephalitis with NORSE and electrographic response to ribavirin: a case report

  • Epilepsia Open. 2018 Apr 17;3(2):286-289. doi: 10.1002/epi4.12113.
Martin Savard 1,  Alain Paradis 2,  Charles L Francoeur 3 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Neurological Sciences CHU de Québec - Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus Quebec City QC Canada.
  • 2 Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases CHU de Québec - Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus Quebec City QC Canada.
  • 3 Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit (Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine) CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre Quebec City QC Canada.
  • 4 Department of Critical Care CHU de Québec-Université Laval Quebec City QC Canada.
PMID: 29881809 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12113
Abstract

New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is a rare condition where refractory seizures occur with no obvious cause in an otherwise healthy individual. We report here the first case of a patient with NORSE caused by Jamestown Canyon virus, an emerging virus throughout North America. This is the first patient with Jamestown Canyon virus encephalitis treated by a specific Antiviral agent, in this case intravenous ribavirin, with electroencephalography (EEG) evidence of improvement. This is finally the first reported death caused by this virus, here secondary to intensive care unit complications. Therefore, Jamestown Canyon virus should be considered as a NORSE etiology, and ribavirin may be an effective treatment of that condition, especially if used early.

Keywords

EEG; Jamestown Canyon virus; New‐onset refractory status epilepticus; Ribavirin; Status epilepticus.

Figures