Key result
Influenza A H3N2 infection linked to fatal acute encephalopathy despite prior vaccination.
Why the study?
The potential development of influenza-associated encephalopathy in adults under certain conditions is not well characterized.
Case Report (n=1)
No
This case highlights the potential for fatal influenza encephalopathy to develop in adults despite recent vaccination.
Clinicians should consider encephalopathy in vaccinated adults with influenza; leaves open questions on antibody protection against neuroinvasion.
A 41-year-old nurse was referred to our hospital with a fever and disturbed consciousness. She tested positive for influenza antigen. CT and MRI findings revealed low density and intensity areas in the right occipital and lateral lobes with remarkable brain edema, which led to a diagnosis of influenza encephalopathy. Influenza A antibodies in the serum were below the detection limit despite the patient receiving previous vaccination three months earlier. A PCR analysis revealed that the influenza HA gene was classified into clade 3C.2a, subclass AH3N2. The present case indicates the potential development of encephalopathy in adults under certain conditions.
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Kitano et al. (2016) conducted a case report in Influenza-associated encephalopathy (n=1). Influenza A infection was evaluated on Development of fatal encephalopathy. A 41-year-old female healthcare professional developed fatal acute encephalopathy associated with influenza A (H3N2) infection despite prior vaccination.
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