Neurobehavioral manifestations and sequelae of HIV and other infections

Central nervous system infections in children and adolescents involve a wide spectrum of illnesses, ranging from acute self-limited diseases, such as enteroviral meningitis, to severe diffuse or focal infections (i.e., arboviral encephalitis) resulting in devastating neurologic sequelae. All the clinical manifestations of CNS infections occur to some degree secondary to toxic mediators such as cytokines. These factors are neurotoxic and produce clinical manifestations such as encephalopathy, motor abnormalities, and seizures. Many of these diseases also produce radiculoneuropathies and vasculopathies (stroke). As a result, chronic neurologic conditions may result and are frequently associated with psychiatric disturbances and situational depression.