Long-term outcome of human West Nile virus infection
Since its introduction to North America in 1999, human infection with West Nile virus (WNV) has resulted in considerable acute morbidity and mortality. Although the ongoing epidemic has resulted in a great increase in our understanding of the acute clinical features of human illness and helped to define associated clinical syndromes, far less is known about potential long-term clinical and functional effects. Several recent assessments, however, suggest that patients – even those with apparently mild cases of acute disease – frequently have subjective, somatic complaints following WNV infection. Persistent movement disorders, cognitive complaints, and functional disability may occur after West Nile neuroinvasive disease. West Nile poliomyelitis may result in limb weakness and ongoing morbidity that is likely to be long term. Although further assessment is needed, the long-term neurological and functional sequelae of WNV infection are likely to represent a considerable source of morbidity in patients long after their recovery from acute illness.
The long-term outcomes of human West Nile virus infection
Clin Infect Dis. 2007 44: 1617-1624
Your recent article about West Nile virus failed to mention a published treatment for post-WNV encephalitis syndrome. My company developed (and owns a patent which is pending) on the treatment approach, and has been using it in an ongoing free clinical trial for the past 5 years, since 2003.
Our initial results on 8 patients seen in Sept, 2003 were published in a peer-reviewed medical journal in July, 2004 (1). Publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal is all that’s required for a treatment to officially exist, even if the public health authorities refuse to mention it.
21 patients with WNV have responded so far, out of 25 (84%). We’ve also treated 4 horses (3 responded) and 12 birds (6 responded; birds present sicker than humans and horses). Our WNV trial is free from our end. The blood pressure meds we use are inexpensive (around $1/day) and are available by prescription from any drugstore in the country.
Anybody who wants to download our trial documents can do so at any time of day or night from our homepage at http://www.genomed.com.
It would be great if you could help publicize this treatment now, since beginning treatment early–within the first 48 hrs of encephalitis symptoms–seems to be the only way to avoid long-term sequelae such as paralysis, chronic fatigue, cognitive problems, etc. WNV is notorious for still affecting half of WNV victims 18 months later.
If a family knows about our treatment ahead of time, they’ll be in a much better position to get it prescribed for their relative who comes down with the disease. Physicians haven’t heard about this treatment any more than patients have, thanks to the inexplicable silence of the public health authorities, from the CDC on down.
Reference
1. Moskowitz DW, Johnson FE. The central role of angiotensin I-converting enzyme in vertebrate pathophysiology. Curr Top Med Chem. 2004;4(13):1433-54. PMID: 15379656 (For PDF file, click on paper #6 at: http://www.genomed.com/index.cfm?action=investor&drill=publications)
Best regards,
Dave Moskowitz MD
Chairman, CEO & Chief Medical Officer
GenoMed, Inc.
“Our business is public health(TM)”
website: http://www.genomed.com
Ticker symbol: GMED.PK (on the OTC Pink Sheets)
email: dwmoskowitz@genomed.com