Fatal West Nile virus infection after rituximab/fludarabine-induced remission for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Steven D. Mawhorter, Anne Sierk, Susan M. Staugaitis, Robin K. Avery, Ronald Sobecks, Richard A. Prayson, Gary W. Procop, Belinda Yen-Lieberman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) infections are potentially life threatening in immunocompromised hosts. Currently, the best diagnostic test is serology. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing has a role, but, because WNV is a cell-associated neurotropic virus, RT-PCR results are frequently negative even in cases of active infection. We present a case in which serology results were persistently negative because the patient was immunocompromised following lymphoma treatment. The role of humoral immunity in resolution of WNV is also discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)248-250
Number of pages3
JournalClinical Lymphoma and Myeloma
Volume6
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Diagnosis
  • Humoral immunity
  • Immunocompromised patients
  • Polymerase chain reaction
  • Serology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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