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Powassan Virus: Insights for Practitioners from a Systematic Review

Powassan Virus: Insights for Practitioners from a Systematic Review

Understanding Powassan Virus and Its Implications for Practitioners

Powassan virus, an emerging neurotropic arbovirus transmitted by ticks, has been increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern. A recent systematic review, "Powassan Virus Infections: A Systematic Review of Published Cases," provides critical insights into the clinical manifestations, diagnostic findings, and complications associated with this virus. This blog post aims to translate these findings into actionable insights for practitioners, particularly those working with pediatric populations.

Key Findings from the Systematic Review

The review identified 84 cases of Powassan virus infections, with a notable 19.1% mortality rate in adults and 7.1% in pediatric cases. Neurological complications were prevalent, with paralysis occurring in 44.1% of adults and 42.6% of children. Cognitive deficits were observed in 33.3% of adults and 25% of children. The review highlighted significant correlations between age, development of paralysis, respiratory distress, and mortality.

Implications for Practitioners

For practitioners, particularly speech-language pathologists, these findings underscore the importance of early recognition and intervention in cases of Powassan virus infections. The association between speech disorders and long-term neurological deficits suggests that early speech therapy could be crucial in mitigating these effects.

Encouraging Further Research

While the systematic review provides valuable insights, it also highlights the need for further research. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this growing body of knowledge by documenting cases and outcomes, which can inform future guidelines and interventions.

Conclusion

Powassan virus poses significant challenges due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. For speech-language pathologists and other practitioners, understanding the virus's impact on neurological and speech functions is crucial. By applying the insights from this review, practitioners can improve patient outcomes and contribute to the broader understanding of this emerging health threat.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Powassan Virus Infections: A Systematic Review of Published Cases.


Citation: Kakoullis, L., Vaz, V. R., Kaur, D., Kakoulli, S., Panos, G., Chen, L. H., & Behlau, I. (2023). Powassan Virus Infections: A Systematic Review of Published Cases. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10747444/?report=classic
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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