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Updated: Feb 12, 2026
In Vitro Selection of Aptamers to Differentiate Infectious from Non-Infectious Viruses
Published on: September 7, 2022
Purpose Of Review:
This article reviews bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens associated with myelopathy. Infectious myelopathies may be due to direct infection or parainfectious autoimmune-mediated mechanisms; this article focuses primarily on the former.
Recent Findings:
Some microorganisms exhibit neurotropism for the spinal cord (eg, enteroviruses such as poliovirus and flaviviruses such as West Nile virus), while others are more protean in neurologic manifestations (eg, herpesviruses such as varicella-zoster virus), and others are only rarely reported to cause myelopathy (eg, certain fungal and parasitic infections). Individuals who are immunocompromised are at increased risk of disseminated infection to the central nervous system. Within the last few years, an enterovirus D68 outbreak has been associated with cases of acute flaccid paralysis in children, and emerging Zika virus infection has been concurrent with cases of acute flaccid paralysis due to Guillain-Barré syndrome, although cases of myelitis have also been reported. Associated pathogens differ by geographic distribution, with myelopathies related to Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) and West Nile virus more commonly seen in the United States and parasitic infections encountered more often in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Characteristic CSF and MRI patterns have been identified with many of these infections.
Summary:
A myriad of pathogens are associated with infectious myelopathies. Host factors, geographic distribution, clinical features, CSF profiles, and MRI findings can assist in formulating the differential diagnosis and ultimately guide management.
Insights
Infectious myelopathies are caused by various bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens. Understanding pathogen types, host factors, and geographic distribution aids diagnosis and treatment of these spinal cord infections.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Myelopathy can result from direct pathogen invasion or parainfectious autoimmune responses.
- Certain microorganisms possess neurotropism, targeting the spinal cord, while others present with diverse neurological symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens causing myelopathy.
- To focus on myelopathies resulting from direct infection by microorganisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on infectious agents associated with myelopathy.
- Analysis of pathogen characteristics, host factors, and geographic distribution.
- Identification of characteristic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns.
Main Results:
- Pathogens like enteroviruses (poliovirus), flaviviruses (West Nile virus), and herpesviruses (varicella-zoster virus) are implicated.
- Immunocompromised individuals face higher risks of central nervous system infections.
- Recent outbreaks include enterovirus D68 and Zika virus, associated with acute flaccid paralysis and myelitis.
- Geographic variations exist, with Lyme disease and West Nile virus prevalent in the US, and parasitic infections common in other regions.
Conclusions:
- A wide range of pathogens can cause infectious myelopathies.
- Differential diagnosis and management are guided by host factors, geographic origin, clinical presentation, and diagnostic imaging (CSF and MRI).
