The impact of viral infections on childhood central nervous system infections

Background. Viruses are a common cause of central nervous system (CNS) infections. However, studies of CNS viral pathogens in pediatric patients are poorly explored because viral infections are often erroneously diagnosed as bacterial infections. Methods. 299 CNS samples were collected from pediatric patients aged from one month to 14 years old. A total of 140 viral meningitis cases that met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. In 38 of the 140 cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples (27.1%), conventional and real-time PCR were used to identify viruses commonly associated with CNS infections. Results. Among them, 23 patients (16.5%) tested positive for flaviviruses such as dengue, Zika, and yellow fever virus, eight patients (5.7%) were positive for enterovirus (ENTV), and six patients (4.3%) were positive for human herpesvirus 1/2. We also identified one case of dengue virus and ENTV co-infection. Conclusions. A correlation between clinical symptoms and laboratory findings for the viruses was identified. Our study also reinforces the importance of including viruses in the laboratory diagnosis of CNS infections especially flaviviruses, which assists public health authorities in implementing early interventions.

Automated summary

The study identified common viral pathogens causing central nervous system infections in pediatric patients, with flaviviruses being a major contributor. There was a correlation between clinical symptoms and laboratory findings for the viruses, emphasizing the importance of including viruses in laboratory diagnosis of CNS infections, especially flaviviruses, for early interventions by public health authorities.