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Molecular Pathology in Clinical Practice pp 437–446Cite as

Viral Infections of the Central Nervous System

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Abstract

Viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are relatively infrequent and usually result in a benign, selflimiting disease. 1–4 However, in a small percentage of cases, viral infection of the CNS can have extremely serious consequences that result in a spectrum of permanent neurologic damage or death. Viral agents gain access to the CNS by either neuronal or hematogenous spread, and infections can occur at a multitude of sites including the spinal cord, leptomeninges, dorsal nerve roots, nerves, and brain parenchyma. Viral CNS infections are classified clinically as either meningitis or encephalitis, although a close interrelationship occurs between the two disease states.1–4 Host factors (age, sex, immune status, genetic differences) and viral factors (serotype, receptor preference, cell tropism, viral load) in concert with geographic and seasonal factors contribute to the potential for the development of CNS disease.1–4

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiology/Virology and Molecular Diagnostics, North Shore Long Island Health System Laboratories, Lake Success, NY, 11042, USA

    Christine C. Ginocchio PhD, MT (ASCP) (Director)

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  1. Christine C. Ginocchio PhD, MT (ASCP)
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Debra G. B. Leonard MD, PhD (Professor and Vice Chair for Laboratory Medicine) (Professor and Vice Chair for Laboratory Medicine)

  2. Hematology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Adam Bagg MD (Director) (Director)

  3. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Angela M. Caliendo MD, PhD (Vice Chair and Associate Professor) (Vice Chair and Associate Professor)

  4. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Evanston, IL, 60201

    Karen L. Kaul MD, PhD (Professor) (Professor)

  5. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA

    Karen L. Kaul MD, PhD (Professor) (Professor)

  6. Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Vivianna M. Van Deerlin MD, PhD (Director) (Director)

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Ginocchio, C.C. (2007). Viral Infections of the Central Nervous System. In: Leonard, D.G.B., Bagg, A., Caliendo, A.M., Kaul, K.L., Van Deerlin, V.M. (eds) Molecular Pathology in Clinical Practice. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-33227-7_39

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