Pathogenesis of flavivirus encephalitis

• Published in: Advances in Virus Research Vol. 60; pp. 273 - 342
• Main Authors: Chambers, Thomas J, Diamond, Michael S
• Format: Book Chapter Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Science & Technology 2003; Elsevier Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Brain - pathology; Brain - virology; Complement System Proteins - physiology; Encephalitis, Arbovirus - etiology; Encephalitis, Arbovirus - immunology; Encephalitis, Tick-Borne - etiology; Encephalitis, Tick-Borne - immunology; Flavivirus; Flavivirus - pathogenicity; Flavivirus Infections - etiology; Flavivirus Infections - immunology; Humans; Immunology; Interferon-gamma - biosynthesis; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Macrophages - immunology; Virology; West Nile virus - pathogenicity
• DOI: 10.1016/S0065-3527(03)60008-4
• ISBN: 0120398605; 9780120398607
• ISSN: 0065-3527

Within the flavivirus family, viruses that cause natural infections of the central nervous system (CNS) principally include members of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) serogroup and the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) serocomplex. The pathogenesis of diseases involves complex interactions of viruses, which differ in neurovirulence potential, and a number of host factors, which govern susceptibility to infection and the capacity to mount effective antiviral immune responses both in the periphery and within the CNS. This chapter summarizes progress in the field of flavivirus neuropathogenesis. Mosquito-borne and tickborne viruses are considered together. Flavivirus neuropathogenesis involves both neuroinvasiveness (capacity to enter the CNS) and neurovirulence (replication within the CNS), both of which can be manipulated experimentally. Neuronal injury as a result of bystander effects may be a factor during flavivirus neuropathogenesis given that microglial activation and elaboration of inflammatory mediators, including IL-1β and TNF-α, occur in the CNS during these infections and may accompany the production of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, which can cause neurotoxicity.