Arboviral encephalitides: transmission, emergence, and pathogenesis.
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are of paramount concern as a group of pathogens at the forefront of emerging and re-emerging diseases. Although some arboviral infections are asymptomatic or present with a mild influenza-like illness, many are important human and veterinary pathogens causing serious illness ranging from rash and arthritis to encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever. Here, we discuss arboviruses from diverse families (Flaviviruses, Alphaviruses, and the Bunyaviridae) that are causative agents of encephalitis in humans. An understanding of the natural history of these infections as well as shared mechanisms of neuroinvasion and neurovirulence is critical to control the spread of these viruses and for the development of effective vaccines and treatment modalities.
Hollidge
Bradley S
BS
Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA.
González-Scarano
Francisco
F
Soldan
Samantha S
SS
D000524:Alphavirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D001103:Arboviruses / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002043:Bunyaviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002044:Bunyaviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D002646:Chikungunya virus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D004671:Encephalitis, Arbovirus / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D004670:Encephalitis, California / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D005416:Flavivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018177:Flavivirus Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D018062:La Crosse virus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012295:Rift Valley Fever / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D012296:Rift Valley fever virus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000472:pathogenicity