Unravelling the neuropathogenesis of Japanese encephalitis.
Japanese encephalitis is a devastating disease that causes a frequently fatal encephalitis and is a major health problem throughout much of Asia. Mortality rates can be as high as 30%, with one-third of survivors suffering severe neurological sequelae. Viral cytopathology is important, but the contribution of blood-brain barrier breakdown, the inflammatory response and bystander cell death are unknown. Studies that address the mechanisms producing neuronal dysfunction and damage are required, including the examination of autopsy tissues. A better understanding of these mechanisms may lead to therapeutic strategies to reduce brain injury and neurological sequelae.
Myint
Khin Saw Aye
KS
Department of Virology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, 315/6 Rajvithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. myintk@afrims.org
Gibbons
Robert V
RV
Perng
Guey Chuen
GC
Solomon
Tom
T
D017209:Apoptosis; D001208:Asia; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000378:metabolism; D004672:Encephalitis, Japanese / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans