Arbovirus infections of the nervous system: Current trends and future threats

Viral interactions with the blood-brain barrier: old dog, new tricks

“…5 Neurotropic arboviruses capable of breaking down the BBB include members of the Flaviviridae (e.g., West Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses), Bunyaviridae (La Crosse and Rift Valley Fever viruses), and Togaviridae (Alphavirus species) families, all of which are RNA viruses maintained in complex life cycles involving a nonhuman primary vertebrate and a primary arthropod vector ( Table 1). 6 The DNA viruses such as mouse adenovirus 1 (MAV-1) 7 and Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) 8 have also been shown to directly alter the structure and function of the BBB ( Table 1). Viruses gain access to the CNS either as free virions, hijacking motile infected cells, or by utilizing axonal transport mechanisms of the peripheral nerves that directly enter or form synapses with neurons in the CNS.…”

Zika virus detection in cerebrospinal fluid from two patients with encephalopathy, Martinique, February 2016

“…In keeping with neurological findings in other arbovirus infections, the presentations were of non-specific nature; the spectrum of arboviral neurological disease may even lead to ischemic stroke [4]. Moreover, in arbovirus-related neurological disorders, imaging findings may be normal and different EEG abnormalities can be seen [5]. Zika virus is known as a neurotropic microorganism [6], however, both structural imaging and EEG can be normal in acute infection [5].…”

“…Moreover, in arbovirus-related neurological disorders, imaging findings may be normal and different EEG abnormalities can be seen [5]. Zika virus is known as a neurotropic microorganism [6], however, both structural imaging and EEG can be normal in acute infection [5]. The mechanism of flavivirus infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is not clearly understood and pathology depends on the virus.…”

Knocking on Closed Doors: Host Interferons Dynamically Regulate Blood-Brain Barrier Function during Viral Infections of the Central Nervous System

“…Like many organ systems, the CNS is susceptible to infection by pathogenic microorganisms, including many arboviruses that are considered neurotropic because they are able to achieve robust replication in neural cells. Neurotropic arboviruses capable of infecting the CNS include members of the Flaviviridae (e.g., West Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses), Bunyaviridae (La Cross and Rift Valley Fever viruses), and Togaviridae (Alphavirus species) families, all RNA viruses that are maintained in complex life cycles involving a nonhuman primary vertebrate and a primary arthropod vector [ 1 ]. A variety of mechanisms exist to protect the CNS from the entry and infection of neurotropic viruses, including innate immune responses and multilayer barriers formed by diverse host cell types [ 2 ].…”