Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

Acute and recurrent viral meningitis

Larry E Davis1

  • 1Larry E. Davis, MD New Mexico VA Health Care System, Neurology Service, 1501 San Pedro Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA. LEDavis@unm.edu.

Current Treatment Options in Neurology
|June 27, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Acute viral meningitis, often caused by enteroviruses, lacks specific antiviral treatments but is better managed with rapid diagnostics. Antiviral drugs can shorten episodes and reduce recurrence of aseptic meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Acute viral meningitis is the most common central nervous system infection, predominantly affecting children and young adults.
  • Enteroviruses are the primary cause of acute viral meningitis, with limited specific antiviral therapies available.
  • Recurrent meningitis is less frequent, with Herpes Simplex Virus 2 being a notable cause in young adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight advancements in diagnosing viral meningitis and their impact on patient management.
  • To discuss the role of antiviral agents in managing recurrent aseptic meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current diagnostic approaches for identifying viral etiologies of meningitis.
  • Analysis of the therapeutic efficacy of antiviral drugs in managing aseptic meningitis episodes and recurrences.

Main Results:

  • Improved diagnostic tests enable faster identification of viral causes, leading to reduced healthcare costs and shorter hospital stays.
  • Antiviral medications like acyclovir, valaciclovir, and famciclovir effectively shorten the duration of aseptic meningitis episodes.
  • Prophylactic antiviral treatment significantly decreases the frequency of recurrent meningitis.

Conclusions:

  • Rapid and accurate viral diagnostics are transforming the management of acute viral meningitis.
  • Antiviral therapy is crucial for managing recurrent aseptic meningitis, offering both acute and prophylactic benefits.

More Related Videos

A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease04:23

A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease

Published on: April 28, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...