Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
04:23
A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
Published on: April 28, 2019
Arboviral encephalitides: transmission, emergence, and pathogenesis
Bradley S Hollidge1, Francisco González-Scarano, Samantha S Soldan
1Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA.
Summary
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) cause serious human diseases, including encephalitis. Understanding arboviral neuroinvasion and neurovirulence is key to developing vaccines and treatments for these emerging infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Virology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are significant emerging and re-emerging infectious disease agents.
- Arboviral infections can range from asymptomatic to severe, causing conditions like encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever in humans and animals.
- Several arboviruses, including Flaviviruses, Alphaviruses, and Bunyaviridae, are known causes of human encephalitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss arboviruses that cause encephalitis in humans.
- To explore the natural history of arboviral infections.
- To understand shared mechanisms of neuroinvasion and neurovirulence for developing control strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of arboviruses causing encephalitis.
- Discussion of arboviral families: Flaviviruses, Alphaviruses, and Bunyaviridae.
- Analysis of natural history, neuroinvasion, and neurovirulence.
Main Results:
- Arboviruses represent a major global health concern due to their potential to cause severe neurological disease.
- Diverse arboviruses from Flaviviridae, Alphaviruses, and Bunyaviridae families are implicated in human encephalitis.
- Shared mechanisms of neuroinvasion and neurovirulence are critical for disease pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding arbovirus natural history and pathogenesis is crucial for disease control.
- Knowledge of neuroinvasion and neurovirulence mechanisms is vital for developing effective vaccines and therapeutics.
- Control of arboviral diseases requires a comprehensive approach integrating virology, entomology, and clinical research.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
01:26Encephalitis 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...
01:19Encephalitis 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...
01:28Rabies
Rabies is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Its primary mode of transmission to humans is through bites or saliva-contaminated scratches from infected mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, or foxes. Transmission can also occur if infectious saliva contacts abraded skin or intact mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva.Viral Entry and Early ReplicationOnce introduced at the bite or scratch...
01:26Bacterial 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...
01:18Viral 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...