Viral infections of the central nervous system
1 Department Microbiology, Mohamed VI University Hospital, Marrakesh, Morocco.
2 Faculty of medicine and pharmacy, Cadi Ayyad University Marrakesh, Morocco.
Research Article
GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 14(03), 209–218.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscarr.2023.14.3.0085
Publication history:
Received on 07 February 2023; revised on 13 March 2023; accepted on 16 March 2023
Abstract:
Background: Viral infections of the central nervous system are an important cause of morbidity and mortality.
Aim: This study was designed to identify the viruses responsible for viral involvement of the CNS and to determine their frequency, circulation pattern, and seasonality.
Methods: Detection, by multiplex PCR using FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis panel, of viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid of all patients admitted for suspected viral infection of central nervous system and requiring hospitalization in the various departments of the Mohamed VI University Hospital of Marrakesh.
Results: Viral infection was diagnosed in 74 of 984 patients (7.5%). The viruses responsible were identified as enterovirus in 22 cases (26.82%), Cytomegalovirus in 21 cases (25.6%), Herpes simplex virus-1 and Varicella-Zoster virus in 12 cases each (14.63%). Other agents were also reported with lower frequencies namely human herpes virus 6 and herpes simplex virus-2. Although the overall rate of CNS viral infection was significantly higher between the summer and spring seasons, the seasonality of the different viral pathogens was variable.
Conclusion: The FilmArray® test can be an aid in the diagnosis of meningitis/meningoencephalitis, especially of viral etiology. Its rational use can improve the management of patients with potentially severe infections without additional cost.
Keywords:
Central nervous system infection; Virus; meningitis; Meningoencephalitis; PCR; Enterovirus
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0
