Infections of the central nervous system of suspected viral origin: A collaborative study from Finland

• Published in: Journal of neurovirology 2001-10, Vol.7 (5), p.400-408
• Main Authors: Koskiniemi, Marjaleena, Rantalaiho, Timo, Piiparinen, Heli, von Bonsdorff, Carl-Henrik, Färkkilä, Markus, Järvinen, Asko, Kinnunen, Esko, Koskiniemi, Suvi, Mannonen, Laura, Muttilainen, Marketta, Linnavuori, Kimmo, Porras, Jukka, Puolakkainen, Mirja, Räihä, Kirsti, Salonen, Eeva-Marjatta, Ukkonen, Pentti, Vaheri, Antti, Valtonen, Villei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenoviridae Infections - epidemiology; Adenoviridae Infections - virology; Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Chlamydia Infections - epidemiology; Chlamydophila pneumoniae; Encephalitis - epidemiology; Encephalitis - microbiology; Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex - diagnosis; Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex - epidemiology; Encephalitis, Tick-Borne - epidemiology; Encephalitis, Tick-Borne - virology; Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster - diagnosis; Encephalitis, Viral - diagnosis; Encephalitis, Viral - epidemiology; Encephalitis, Viral - virology; Enterovirus; Enterovirus Infections - diagnosis; Enterovirus Infections - epidemiology; Female; Finland - epidemiology; Herpes simplex virus 1; Herpesviridae Infections - diagnosis; Herpesviridae Infections - epidemiology; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Influenza A virus; Male; Meningitis - diagnosis; Meningitis - epidemiology; Meningitis - virology; Middle Aged; Myelitis - diagnosis; Myelitis - epidemiology; Myelitis - virology; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Puumala virus - isolation & purification; Retrospective Studies; Rotavirus Infections - epidemiology; Rotavirus Infections - virology; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Vaccination; Varicella-zoster virus 1; Viral Vaccines
• ISSN: 1355-0284; 1538-2443
• DOI: 10.1080/135502801753170255

We studied 3231 patients with acute central nervous system (CNS) symptoms of suspected viral origin to elucidate the current etiologic spectrum. In 46%of the cases, a viral finding was observed. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was the main agent associated with encephalitis, as well as meningitis and myelitis. VZV comprised 29% of all confirmed or probable etiologic agents. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and enteroviruses accounted 11% each, and influenza A virus 7%. VZV seems to have achieved a major role in viral infections of CNS. In encephalitis in our population, VZV is clearly more commonly associated with these neurological diseases than HSV. The increase in VZV findings may in part be a pseudophenomenon due to improved diagnostic methods, however, a true increase may have occurred and the pathogenetic mechanisms behind this should be elucidated.