Arboviral central nervous system infections

Area of Science:

• Medical Virology
• Neuroscience
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are significant global causes of human neurological infections.
• Emerging arboviruses and their vectors are expanding geographically, impacting new populations.
• Understanding arbovirus epidemiology and clinical features is crucial for recognition and diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of globally important arbovirus infections causing human neurological disease.
• To group neuroinvasive arboviruses by family/genus to highlight similarities and differences in clinical syndromes.
• To emphasize the importance of recognizing emerging arboviruses and their impact on public health.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on arboviruses causing neuroinvasive disease.
• Grouping of arboviruses based on viral families (Flaviviridae, Togaviridae, Bunyaviridae) and genera.
• Analysis of epidemiological and clinical features of neuroinvasive arbovirus infections.

Main Results:

• Arboviruses from Flaviviridae, Togaviridae, and Bunyaviridae families are emerging and spreading globally.
• These arboviruses cause characteristic neuroinvasive diseases with overlapping clinical syndromes.
• Geographic expansion of vectors and hosts leads to increased human exposure and infection.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of neuroinvasive arboviruses is essential for timely diagnosis and management.
• Ongoing research for rapid diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines is critical for future outbreak preparedness.
• Continued surveillance and research are needed to address the evolving threat of emerging arboviruses.