The challenge of viral encephalitis: from etiological diagnosis to efficient antiviral drug discovery.

摘要

Human encephalitis is a complex neurological syndrome constituting a challenging public health problem. This severe disease, defined as the combination of an inflammation of the brain parenchyma and neurological dysfunction, is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Several causes of encephalitis have been identified, but infectious agents remain the most common. These agents include various microorganisms, with viruses the most frequently implicated. Over the last two decades, several studies have provided insight into the overall clinical, epidemiological and etiological picture of viral encephalitis, but our knowledge remains far from complete.