The clinical response of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy

The aim of the study was to determine whether intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) treatment is effective in patients with West Nile Virus (WNV) neuroinvasive disease. We contacted hospital based infectious disease experts in Israeli hospitals to identify patients with WNV neuroinvasive disease who were treated with IVIG. The main outcome measure was neurological response after treatment. There were 12 patients who received IVIG and four improved within 48 h. Three patients died, 6 had partial recovery, and 3 recovered completely. Eleven of the 12 patients were infected with Israeli genotypes that are highly homologous to Europe/Africa viruses. The rapid response in some patients suggests that IVIG is effective, and might be used to treat patients with WNV neuroinvasive disease with IVIG.