Neurological disease caused by flavivirus infections
Tristan Gibbs A B C and David J Speers A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Microbiology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA (LMWA), Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Medical Centre, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
B School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
C Email: tristan.gibbs@health.wa.gov.au
Microbiology Australia 39(2) 99-102 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA18029
Published: 6 April 2018
Abstract
The Flavivirus genus contains dozens of species with varying geographical distributions. Most flavivirus infections in humans are asymptomatic or manifest as a non-specific febrile illness, sometimes accompanied by rash or arthralgia. Certain species are more commonly associated with neurological disease and may be termed neurotropic flaviviruses. Several flaviviruses endemic to Australia and our near northern neighbours are neurotropic, such as Murray Valley encephalitis virus, West Nile (Kunjin) virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. Flavivirus neurological disease ranges from self-limiting meningitis to fulminant encephalitis causing permanent debilitating neurological sequelae or death. The recent Zika virus outbreak in South America has highlighted the dramatic effects of flavivirus neurotropism on the developing brain. This article focuses on the neurotropic flaviviruses endemic to Australia and those of international significance.
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