Pseudorabies virus encephalitis in humans: a case series study.
Siyuan Fan1, Hongxun Yuan2, Lei Liu3
1Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
Journal of Neurovirology
|June 24, 2020
Summary
Pseudorabies virus (PRV) can cause encephalitis in humans, particularly those with swine exposure. This study identified PRV-DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with rapidly progressing panencephalitis and characteristic brain lesions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a significant pathogen in swine, causing severe neurological disease.
- Emerging evidence suggests PRV may also infect humans, leading to encephalitis.
Observation:
- A multicenter study in China utilized next-generation sequencing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to identify pathogens in patients with suspected central nervous system infections.
- PRV-DNA was detected in six patients, with further validation through PCR and serological tests.
- A retrospective case with similar clinical and neuroimaging findings also showed PRV-DNA presence.
Findings:
- Patients presented with rapidly progressive panencephalitis and characteristic neuroimaging of symmetric basal ganglia and hemispheric lesions.
- Six of the seven identified cases involved individuals working in swine production.
- PRV infection was confirmed in a cohort of human patients with encephalitis.
Implications:
- PRV encephalitis should be considered in patients presenting with rapidly progressive panencephalitis and specific neuroimaging patterns.
- Occupational exposure to swine is a significant risk factor for human PRV infection.
- This study highlights the potential zoonotic transmission of PRV and its neuroinvasive capabilities in humans.
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