Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic techniques in the diagnosis of viral encephalitides

Electron microscopy and in particular, immunohistochemical examination techniques have substantially improved the chances to attain an etiologic diagnosis in viral encephalitis. The application of these techniques is needed first of all in the examination of cerebral biopsy specimens, but they can contribute to the clearing of the etiology at post mortem study of the brain, too. This review outlines the basic techniques and their application fields. In immunohistochemistry beside the demonstration of specific viral antigens the analysis of the humoral and cellular immune reactions and the identification of the cell types involved by cell specific markers is also important. The second part of the review gives a synopsis of the results of electron microscopic and immunohistochemical studies in the most important acute, subacute and chronic encephalitides occurring in Europe.