title: Mechanism of enterovirus involvement in epidemic neuropathy: hypothesis regarding pathophysiology.
abstract: During the epidemic of optic and peripheral neuropathy which occurred in Cuba in 1992-1993, viruses antigenically related to the Coxsackie viruses were isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of patients. Concurrently with the virologic studies, epidemiologic, toxicologic, nutritional, immunologic, and histopathologic investigations were also carried out. Although it was demonstrated that the illness was associated with toxic and nutritional risk factors, it has not been possible to identify a specific etiology for the symptoms observed. Taking into consideration the results obtained in all of the various investigations, we have formulated an integral, multifactorial hypothesis which attempts to explain a pathophysiologic mechanism by which the viruses isolated could participate in the pathogenesis of the illness. We propose that the viral agents produce a persistent infection, and the possibility that they may act as mediator of an autoimmune pathogenic process.
authors.affiliation: Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK), Havana, Cuba; Autopista Novia del Mediodia, Km 6, PO Box 601, La Lisa, Cuba.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Lago
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Guzmán
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sarmiento
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Capó
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Avalos
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Flores
mesh_terms: D003384:Coxsackievirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology