The neurobehavioural consequences of St. Louis encephalitis infection.

BACKGROUND

St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) is a relatively common cause of neurological illness, yet little is known about its cognitive and psychosocial consequences.

PURPOSE: To describe the cognitive, emotional, psychophysiological, and psychosocial consequences of SLE infection.

METHOD: A comprehensive neuropsychological and psychophysiological evaluation of a high functioning woman 6 weeks and 1 year after acute SLE infection is presented. The focus and course of rehabilitation is also examined.

RESULTS

The primary cognitive consequences of SLE infection involved attention, working memory, speed of processing, and cognitive efficiency. Depression was also observed. Psychometric testing suggested that these deficits largely resolved after 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

SLE produces neurocognitive deficits which are reflected in both psychometric and psychophysiologic measures and functional status. Psychometric and vocational improvement were observed over 1 year. However, the normal vocational return came at a significant psychosocial cost. This case emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and illustrates the importance of an integrated rehabilitation programme.