Challenges in laboratory diagnosis of acute viral central nervous system infections in the era of emerging infectious diseases: the syndromic approach

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Many acute viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) remain without etiological diagnosis. Specific treatment is available for only few of them; however, accurate diagnosis is essential for patient’s life and public health.

Areas covered: In the current article, the main parameters playing a role for a successful etiological diagnosis of acute CNS infections are analysed and the syndromic approach based on clinical and demographic data combined with surrogated indicators is discussed. For the development of a relevant test panel, knowledge on the microbes causing CNS infections in a particular geographic region is essential. The modern screening strategies covering a large panel of potential causative agents are described. Examples of the successful application of next generation sequencing in the identification of etiological agents, including novel and emerging viruses, are given.

Expert commentary: Knowledge on epidemiology of the viruses, expertise on syndromic grouping of the etiological agents and advances in technology enable the laboratory diagnosis of acute CNS infections, and the rapid identification, containment and mitigation of probable outbreaks.

KEYWORDS:

• Central nervous system
• viral infection
• laboratory diagnosis
• syndrome
• next generation sequencing

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme COMPARE [grant agreement No 643476].