Viral infections of the central nervous system in Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
Epidemiological studies have shown that most central nervous system (CNS) infections are viral. The objective of this study is to contribute to the knowledge base concerning viral CNS infections in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.


METHODS
Two hundred cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were taken from patients with clinically suspected viral CNS infection and analyzed for herpesvirus, enterovirus, alphavirus and flavivirus using PCR assays.


RESULTS
Viral genome was detected in 43 CSF samples (23.34%): 6% cytomegalovirus (CMV), 5% herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), 0.5% each varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and 11.34% enterovirus. Co-infections (CMV-enterovirus and CMV-HSV-1) were found in 3 patients. CSF parameters such as cytology and protein level were normal in many patients with viral genome-positive CSF.


CONCLUSIONS
Data obtained in this study contribute to the knowledge base concerning viral CNS infections in Brazil. This information will have a major impact on the clinical management of patients with CNS disease.
Mendoza
Laura Patricia
LP
Virus Research Unit, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-000 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. lauramt@rpm.fmrp.usp.br <lauramt@rpm.fmrp.usp.br>
Bronzoni
Roberta Vieira de Morais
RV
Takayanagui
Osvaldo Massaiti
OM
Aquino
Victor Hugo
VH
Figueiredo
Luiz Tadeu Moraes
LT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology*