Western equine encephalitis with rapid onset of parkinsonism

Neurology. 1977 Nov;27(11):1095-6. doi: 10.1212/wnl.27.11.1095.

Abstract

A patient with confirmed western equine encephalitis had the rapid onset of postencephalitic parkinsonian sequelae. This observation corroborates similar previous but rare reports. Response to therapy with levodopa, dopa decarboxylase inhibitor, and trihexyphenidyl was dramatic. However, remission maintained for 12 months without medication suggests that the parkinsonism would have remitted spontaneously. In either case, this has not previously been reported with the western equine togavirus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carbidopa / therapeutic use
  • Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine
  • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / etiology*
  • Trihexyphenidyl / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Levodopa
  • Trihexyphenidyl
  • Carbidopa