Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 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

Descriptive analysis of viral meningitis in a general hospital: differences in the characteristics between children

P E Jiménez Caballero1, F Muñoz Escudero, S Murcia Carretero

  • 1Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Toledo, España. pjimenez1010j@yahoo.es

Neurologia (Barcelona, Spain)
|February 26, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Viral meningitis is more common in males during summer, with enterovirus as the primary cause. While symptoms are similar, children experience shorter hospital stays and higher systemic inflammation compared to adults.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Clinical Neurology

Background:

  • Viral meningitis is a significant cause of central nervous system infection.
  • Understanding its clinical and epidemiological patterns is crucial for public health.
  • Age-related differences in presentation and outcomes require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of viral meningitis.
  • To analyze age-specific differences in viral meningitis presentation and management.
  • To determine the most common causative agents in the study population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of viral meningitis admissions between 2000 and 2008.
  • Comparison of clinical and epidemiological data between pediatric (<15 years) and adult (≥15 years) groups.
  • Analysis of laboratory findings, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis.

Main Results:

  • Viral meningitis predominantly affects males and occurs more frequently during summer months.
  • Enterovirus is the most frequently identified causative agent.
  • Children present with shorter onset times and shorter hospital stays, exhibiting greater systemic inflammation but lower CSF abnormalities compared to adults.

Conclusions:

  • Viral meningitis exhibits seasonal and gender predilections, with enteroviruses being common pathogens.
  • Clinical presentation is broadly similar across age groups, but children have shorter hospitalizations.
  • Age influences inflammatory markers, with children showing higher systemic inflammation and adults more pronounced CSF anomalies, potentially due to earlier diagnostic procedures in children.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens10:08

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens

Published on: April 17, 2026

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...
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...
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 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...