THE ROLE OF ENTEROVIRUSES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISCHEMIC STROKE AND ITS OUTCOMES

The aim: To study the role of enteroviruses (EV) in the development of ischemic stroke and its outcome.

Materials and methods: The main group (MG) included 72 patients with acute cerebrovascular disorders were examined using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Barthel Index. The comparison group (CG) included 35 patients without cerebrovascular disease. Viruses were isolated from patients' sera and identified in neutralization test. EV genomes were detected in polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serological diagnosis was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: EV genomes were more frequently detected in the patients' sera in MG than in CG (23.6 ± 5.9% and 2.9 ± 2.8%, p <0.05). The greater level of neurological deficits was in patients with positive PCR test results comparatively with patients with negative PCR test results (11.76 ± 0.31 and 10.97 ± 0, 27, p = 0.040). The regression of neurological deficit during the treatment was a worse in patients with positive PCR test results and presence of specific IgG compared with patients with positive PCR test results and absence of specific IgG (11.2 ± 2.6% and 19.6 ± 2.4%, p = 0.031).

Conclusions: The trigger role of EV in the development of IS is established. PCR is recommended for diagnosis of EV in patients with IS.