Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue Virus Infection: Neurology and Neurobiology

Abstract

Japanese encephalitis (JE) and Dengue virus infections are the most important arboviral infections. JE spreads by Culex mosquitoes and causes encephalomyelitis. JE virus has affinity for thalamus, striatum, midbrain and anterior horn cells of spinal cord; however it does not produce any systemic manifestation. JE results in death of 40 % of the patients and half of the survivors have neurological sequelae. There is no antiviral therapy for JE and the management is symptomatic; however it can be prevented by vaccination, Dengue occasionally produces neurological manifestations, which include encephalopathy, encephalitis, immune-mediated syndromes and muscle dysfunctions. The underlying pathophysiology is increased vascular permeability and coagulopathy. The neurological complications of dengue are more common in severe dengue infection. Management of dengue is also supportive and vaccines are under evaluation.