Abstract
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a group of central nervous system (CNS) disorders caused by a wide range of viruses, bacteria, fungi, chemicals and toxins. It is important to distinguish between various forms of infectious encephalitis with similar clinical manifestations in order to ensure specific and accurate diagnosis and development of subsequent therapeutic strategies. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is in direct contact with the CNS and hence it is considered to be an excellent source for identifying biomarkers for various neurological disorders. With the recent advancement in proteomic methodologies, the field of biomarker research has received a remarkable boost. The present study identifies potential biomarkers for JE using a proteomics based approach. The CSF proteomes from ten patients each with JE and Non-JE acute encephalitis were analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry. Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), fibrinogen gamma chain, fibrinogen beta chain, complement C4-B, complement C3 and cytoplasmic actin were found to be significantly elevated in case of JE indicating severe disruption of the blood brain barrier and DBP can be suggested to be an important diagnostic marker.
Highlights
Non-infectious central nervous system (CNS) diseases can have clinical presentations similar to those of infectious causes of encephalitis and should be considered in the differential diagnosis[1]
Identification of potential biomarkers for Japanese encephalitis (JE) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) The specific JE associated proteins were identified by proteomic comparison of CSF from Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)-infected patients and patients with other forms of encephalitis
Around 16 proteins were found to be exclusively present in the JEV CSF proteome out of which 10 spots could be successfully identified (Figure 1)
Summary
Non-infectious central nervous system (CNS) diseases can have clinical presentations similar to those of infectious causes of encephalitis and should be considered in the differential diagnosis[1]. Due to lack of suitable diagnostic strategies for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and delayed treatment, the mortality rate of this disease is very high. There is an urgent need for the development of effective treatment strategies which may be effective before the viral invasion in the brain and spinal cord. The extracellular fluid of the brain and spinal cord constitutes around 30 to 40% of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Cerebrospinal fluid provides an accessible insight into the brain and is an ideal body fluid to examine for signature protein profiles for diagnosis or etiology of CNS-related disorders[2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
