Background: West Nile virus (WNV) infection is a viral disease caused by arboviruses. It can cause epidemics of febrile diseases and meningoencephalitis, especially at the end of the summer season. In this study, we aimed to determine the risk factors of WNV encephalitis with a case-control study of the patients followed in our clinic. Materials and Methods: Among the patients who applied to our hospital with sudden onset fever, headache, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, maculopapular rash, viral meningitis, or encephalitis findings in late summer and early autumn, those diagnosed with positive WNV PCR and antibody tests were defined as WNV cases. In the same date range, patients with clinically compatible but negative serological and PCR tests for WNV in our hospital were considered as the control group. Results: WNV infection was diagnosed in 26 of 48 patients who were examined with a preliminary diagnosis of WNV infection, and the other 22 patients were considered as the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, 1-h erythrocyte sedimentation rate, alkaline phosphatase, platelet, and platelet distribution width (PDW). PDW >17.85% indicated WNV infection with 82% sensitivity and 91% specificity. PDW percentage >17.85 increased the risk of WNV infection by 6.1 times. The power of the study was calculated as 83%. Conclusion: The most common findings in WNV cases were fever and confusion. WNV infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with fever and confusion in September and October in settlements on the migration route of birds. The percentage of PDW in whole blood examination can guide the differential diagnosis of WNV cases.
Keywords: West Nile virus; arbovirus; platelet distribution width.