Case Series of Severe Neurologic Sequelae of Ebola Virus Disease during Epidemic, Sierra Leone


Howlett, Patrick J, Walder, Anna R, Lisk, Durodami R, Fitzgerald, Felicity, Sevalie, Stephen, Lado, Marta, N'jai, Abdul, Brown, Colin S, Sahr, Foday, Sesay, Foday et al (show 9 more authors) (2018) Case Series of Severe Neurologic Sequelae of Ebola Virus Disease during Epidemic, Sierra Leone EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 24 (8). pp. 1412-1421. ISSN 1080-6040, 1080-6059

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Abstract

We describe a case series of 35 Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors during the epidemic in West Africa who had neurologic and accompanying psychiatric sequelae. Survivors meeting neurologic criteria were invited from a cohort of 361 EVD survivors to attend a preliminary clinic. Those whose severe neurologic features were documented in the preliminary clinic were referred for specialist neurologic evaluation, ophthalmologic examination, and psychiatric assessment. Of 35 survivors with neurologic sequelae, 13 had migraine headache, 2 stroke, 2 peripheral sensory neuropathy, and 2 peripheral nerve lesions. Of brain computed tomography scans of 17 patients, 3 showed cerebral and/or cerebellar atrophy and 2 confirmed strokes. Sixteen patients required mental health follow-up; psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 5. The 10 patients who experienced greatest disability had co-existing physical and mental health conditions. EVD survivors may have ongoing central and peripheral nervous system disorders, including previously unrecognized migraine headaches and stroke.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola, Peripheral Nervous System Diseases, Cohort Studies, Adult, Sierra Leone, Female, Male, Migraine Disorders, Stroke, Young Adult, Epidemics
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 16 Jul 2018 10:48
Last Modified: 16 Jun 2026 16:16
DOI: 10.3201/eid2408.171367
Open Access URL: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/24/8/17-1367_art...
Related Websites:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3023804
Disclaimer: The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate.
Altmetric
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)