Molecular epidemiology of enteroviruses and predominance of echovirus 30 in an Iranian population with aseptic meningitis
AbstractHuman enteroviruses are the most prevalent causes of aseptic meningitis worldwide. However, despite such predominancy, defining the enteroviral etiology of aseptic meningitis remains a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician in Iran. Therefore, this study was conducted to characterize the prevalence and clinical significance of enteroviral aseptic meningitis as well as the predominant enterovirus serotypes among patients with aseptic meningitis in the South of Iran.Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were obtained from 73 patients with aseptic meningitis (52.1% males and 47.9% females), ages ranging from 1 month to ...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 31, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Rabies virus glycoprotein enhances spatial memory via the PDZ binding motif
We examined impact of RVG expression in the dorsal hippoca mpus on aversive as well as spatial learning and memory performance in rats. Two microliter of the lentiviral vector (~108 T.U./ml) encoding RVG or ∆RVG (deleted PBM) genomes was microinjected into the hippocampal CA1. After 1 week, rat’s brain was cross-sectioned and RVG/∆RVG-expressing neuronal cells were confirmed by fluorescent microscopy. Passive avoidance and spatial learning and memory were assessed in ra ts by Shuttle box and Morris water maze (MWM). In the shuttle box, both RVG and ∆RVG decreased the time spent in the dark compartment compared to ...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 31, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Opsoclonus myoclonus ataxia syndrome in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2
AbstractA patient presented with an opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome after a 2-week period of fever. In her work as an assistant nurse, she had been exposed to patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. Laboratory investigations showed that the patient had positive IgG antibodies against this pathogen, and a chest CT showed changes compatible with this infection. Other known causes for this syndrome were excluded. Our case shows that the opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome can occur as a post-/para-infectious manifestation in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronav...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 31, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Untreated herpes simplex virus encephalitis without a fatal outcome
AbstractHerpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSE) is the most common sporadic fatal encephalitis. Although timely administered acyclovir treatment decreases mortality, neuropsychiatric sequelae is still common among survivors. Magnetic resonance imaging is frequently utilized for the diagnosis of HSE, which typically involves temporal lobe(s) and can be mixed with brain tumors involving the same area. Here, we report a case of HSE, who received acyclovir with a delay of 90 days because of presumptive tumor diagnosis and survived with minimal sequelae. (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 31, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Optic neuritis following SARS-CoV-2 infection
We report a case of a patient who initially consulted for vision loss in the absence of respiratory symptoms. She was diagnosed with optic neuritis following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Delay in diagnosis of neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19 may lead to irreversible optic atrophy. A mechanism in which viral antigens would induce an immune response against self-proteins, or direct SARS Cov-2 infection of the central nervous system, may be involved in optic nerve injury. (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 23, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Characteristics of taste dysfunction in COVID-19 subjects coming from two different countries
AbstractTaste dysfunction (TD) has been recognised, together with olfactory dysfunction (OD), as a key presenting symptom of COVID-19. The capability to recognise flavours, flavour intensities and aroma characteristics can be highly variable within the same population, as well as potentially diverse between culturally different populations. The aims of this study are to evaluate whether a difference in the types of TD presentation amongst COVID-19 positive subjects can be demonstrated and whether a difference exists between populations of different cultures. (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 22, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Expanding the etiologic spectrum of spastic ataxia syndrome: chronic infection with human T lymphotropic virus type 1
Abstract (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 22, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Cytomegalovirus optic neuropathy in a young immunocompetent patient
We report a case of a young and previously healthy female patient who developed a CMV optic neuropathy after a presumed CMV reinfection. Viral copies were detected in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid, as well as a high IgG titre and no evidence of immunosuppression was found. Clinical improvement was seen after high-dose corticosteroids and ganciclovir. (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 15, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Effects of combination antiretroviral drugs (cART) on hippocampal neuroplasticity in female mice
AbstractThe incidence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) continues despite the introduction of combination antiretroviral drugs (cART). Several studies have reported the neurotoxicity of individual antiretroviral drugs (monotherapy), while the common approach for HIV treatment is through cART. Hence, the current study investigated the effects of long-term exposure to cART on cognitive function, oxidative damage, autophagy, and neuroplasticity in the hippocampus of mice. Female Balb/c mice received a once-a-day oral dose of cART composed of emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or vehicle for 8 w...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 12, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Neurological manifestations of COVID-19: with emphasis on Iranian patients
AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) has instigated a global pandemic as a formidable and highly contagious infectious disease. Although the respiratory system remains the most frequently affected organ, several case reports have revealed that the complications are not merely limited to the respiratory system, and neurotropic and neuroinvasive properties have also been observed, leading to neurological diseases. In the present paper, it was intended to review the possible neuroinvasive routes of SARS-CoV-2 and its mechanisms that may...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 12, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Plasma anti-CD4 IgG is associated with brain abnormalities in people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy
AbstractAnti-CD4 IgG autoantibodies have been implicated in CD4+ T cell reconstitution failure, leaving people with HIV (PWH) at heightened risk of HIV-associated comorbidities, such as neurocognitive impairment. Seventeen PWH on stable anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and 10 HIV seronegative controls had plasma anti-CD4 IgG antibodies measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neuropsychological (NP) tests assessed cognitive performance, and brain volumes were measured by structural magnetic resonance imaging. Anti-CD4 IgG levels were elevated (p = 0.04) in PWH compared with controls. Anti-CD4 IgG correlated with globa...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 12, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
A comprehensive data-driven analysis framework for detecting impairments in brain function networks with resting state fMRI in HIV-infected individuals on cART
In this study, we examined 16 HIV-positive (HIV+) subjects and 12 age, sex, and race matched HIV seronegative controls (HIV −) whole-brain high-resolution rsfMRI along with a battery of neurocognitive tests. A comprehensive data-driven analysis of rsfMRI revealed impaired functional connectivity, with very large effect sizes in executive function, language, and multisensory processing networks in HIV+ subjects. These results indicate the potential of high-resolution rsfMRI in combination with advanced data analysis techniques to yield biomarkers of neural impairment in HIV. (Source: Journal of NeuroVirology)
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 5, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Illuminating the in vitro effects of Epstein-Barr virus and vitamin D on immune response in multiple sclerosis patients
AbstractGiven the complexity of immune complex diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS) and the plausible interactions between different risk factors, delineating the interplay between them would be imperative. The current study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and vitamin D on immune response in MS patients and healthy controls. The status of vitamin D and EBV load was evaluated using multiple techniques. In vitro EBV-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), in the presence or absence of vitamin D, were checked for IL-10, IFN- γ, and vitamin D receptor. MS patients showed s...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 5, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Varicella zoster virus infection in neurological patients in Bulgaria
This study is a retrospective survey of test results obtained from January 2015 to October 2019. During this period, 411 CSF specimens were tested for the presence of VZV DNA by nested PCR. Fisher ’s exact test was used to test for statistically significant difference in the frequency of VZV DNA positivity of CSF specimens from different groups. Of all 411 tested CSF samples, 11.2% were positive for VZV DNA. The highest VZV prevalence was detected in CFS from patients with meningitis—18.2 %, followed by patients with cranial neuritis (15.4%), encephalitis (12.2%), Guillain-Barré syndrome (11.1%), myelitis (10%), and w...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 4, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Improved neurocognitive performance in FIV infected cats following treatment with the p75 neurotrophin receptor ligand LM11A-31
AbstractHIV rapidly infects the central nervous system (CNS) and establishes a persistent viral reservoir within microglia, perivascular macrophages and astrocytes. Inefficient control of CNS viral replication by antiretroviral therapy results in chronic inflammation and progressive cognitive decline in up to 50% of infected individuals with no effective treatment options. Neurotrophin based therapies have excellent potential to stabilize and repair the nervous system. A novel non-peptide ligand, LM11A-31, that targets the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) has been identified as a small bioavailable molecule capable of st...
Source: Journal of NeuroVirology - March 4, 2021 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
