Herpesvirus-associated encephalitis: A literature review with an update on pathophysiology and treatment

Abstract

Nowadays, up to 90% of an adult population is considered to be infected with herpes viruses (HVs). These agents are known to have a significant tropism to the nervous tissue, triggering inflammatory processes in peripheral nerves and even the central nervous system . Fortunately, the normal immune system is capable of providing the human body with defense against them. Therefore, not all the carriers are likely to have encephalitis, meningitis, or meningoencephalitis. Despite this, HVs keep remaining the leading etiology of neuroinfection among adults . The last one is life-threatening and potentially disabling condition: having manifested, it’s hard to be kept under control, hence lifelong consequences for patients. Overall, herpesvirus-associated encephalitis is worth studying and elaborating algorithms of effective treatment and rehabilitation.