West Nile virus and the 2012 outbreak: The Baylor University Medical Center experience.

West Nile virus (WNV) has been responsible for multiple outbreaks and has shown evolution in its clinical manifestation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided diagnostic criteria in classifying the variety of WNV infection; however, application of these criteria can prove challenging during outbreaks, and understanding the array of presentations and patient population is clinically important. In this article, we present the challenges encountered during the 2012 outbreak at one institution.

Ascending paralysis associated with HIV infection.

We present two patients with a high viral load of HIV-1 who developed symptoms of ascending paralysis leading to respiratory failure and autonomic instability. One patient had symptom improvement with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and a subsequent decrease in viral load. The other patient improved with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and did not show much improvement on HAART alone.

Herpes simplex virus meningitis complicated by ascending paralysis.

A case of herpes simplex virus (HSV) meningitis complicated by ascending paralysis with almost complete recovery following antiviral treatment is reported. We present this case to illustrate the importance of including HSV-induced neuropathy in the differential diagnosis of acute neurologic symptoms following the viral illness.

Diagnosis and treatment of a red, swollen eye.

Unilateral eye swelling, redness, and pain may represent a diagnostic challenge to many clinicians. The differential diagnosis is broad and includes both nonemergent and emergent diagnoses. While the emergent diagnoses must be made and treatment initiated immediately, the nonemergent differential also includes life- and vision-threatening entities.