Powassan virus infection
| Tick vectors: Lineage I: Ixodes cookei; lineage II (also known as deer tick virus): Ixodes scapularis |
| Geographic distribution: Great Lakes and northeastern regions |
| Classic presentation: Fever, confusion, seizures, focal neurologic deficits, rash, gastrointestinal symptoms |
| Diagnosis: Cerebrospinal fluid testing for virus- specific IgM and neutralizing antibodies; serum antibody testing; nucleic acid amplification; immunohistochemistry on autopsy tissue and viral culture are options |
| Treatment: Supportive care |