Risk Factors for Encephalitis from West Nile Virus: A Matched Case-Control Study Using Hospitalized Controls

  1. K. O. Murray1,
  2. E. Koers1,
  3. S. Baraniuk1,
  4. E. Herrington1,
  5. H. Carter1,
  6. M. Sierra1,
  7. C. Kilborn2,
  8. R. Arafat3

Article first published online: 19 JAN 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01197.x

Issue

Zoonoses and Public Health

Zoonoses and Public Health

Volume 56, Issue 6-7, pages 370–375, August 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Murray, K. O., Koers, E., Baraniuk, S., Herrington, E., Carter, H., Sierra, M., Kilborn, C. and Arafat, R. (2009), Risk Factors for Encephalitis from West Nile Virus: A Matched Case-Control Study Using Hospitalized Controls. Zoonoses and Public Health, 56: 370–375. doi: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01197.x

Author Information

  1. 1

     The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA

  2. 2

     Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, Houston, TX, USA

  3. 3

     City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Houston, TX, USA

*Dr. Kristy Murray. Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Center for Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, Rm 334, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Tel.: (713) 500-9358; Fax: (713) 500-9359; E-mail: Kristy.O.Murray@uth.tmc.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 JUL 2009
  2. Article first published online: 19 JAN 2009
  3. Received for publication April 30, 2008

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Keywords:

  • West Nile virus;
  • case-control;
  • risk factors;
  • emerging infectious disease;
  • epidemiology

Summary

We conducted a case-control study to determine risk factors for developing encephalitis among West Nile virus cases when compared with age-, gender- and race/ethnicity-matched hospitalized controls. In the multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis, we identified the following independent risk factors associated with being an encephalitis case: hypertension (OR 4.0; P = 0.005), immunosuppressing conditions (OR 5.6; P = 0.001) and cardiovascular disease (OR = 28.3; P < 0.001). Individuals with these comorbidities should be targeted for education on protecting themselves from mosquito exposures.

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