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Isolating Central Nervous System Tissues and Associated Meninges for the Downstream Analysis of Immune cells
09:35

Isolating Central Nervous System Tissues and Associated Meninges for the Downstream Analysis of Immune cells

Published on: May 19, 2020

Aseptic meningitis and viral myelitis

David N Irani1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Holtom-Garrett Program in Neuroimmunology, University of Michigan Medical School, BSRB Room 4007, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA. davidira@med.umich.edu

Neurologic Clinics
|July 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Viral meningitis is common, while viral myelitis is rare. This review covers clinical features, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of aseptic meningitis and viral myelitis, focusing on enteroviruses.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Meningitis and myelitis are viral infections of the central nervous system.
  • Viral meningitis is significantly more common than other causes of meningitis.
  • Viral myelitis is rare, can be mistaken for noninfectious causes of acute flaccid paralysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review clinical features, epidemiology, diagnostics, and management of aseptic meningitis and viral myelitis.
  • To highlight the role of enteroviruses in these central nervous system infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of viral meningitis and myelitis.
  • Focus on enterovirus infections of the central nervous system.

Main Results:

  • Enteroviruses are the primary cause of aseptic meningitis.
  • Enteroviruses also account for many cases of viral myelitis, a focal spinal cord infection.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the distinct epidemiology and clinical presentations of viral meningitis and myelitis is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
  • Enteroviruses are a key focus for managing these neurological viral infections.

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