Encephalitis explained Types of encephalitis Infectious encephalitis Enterovirus encephalitis Download PDF Enterovirus encephalitis By Alina Ellerington, Encephalitis Society and reviewed by Dr Christopher Duncan, Newcastle University and Khaleefa Alnaham, University of Liverpool What are enteroviruses? Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that are transmitted from person to person via direct contact with the virus. They can cause a variety of illnesses from mild (febrile illness) to more serious illnesses (encephalitis). Each year, a billion or more people (more often infants and children) worldwide are affected by enteroviruses. Infection is seasonal in temperate climates (summer and autumn) but perennial in the tropics. Symptoms of enterovirus infections Symptoms can vary. Most enterovirus infections do not present with symptoms. Others produce mild symptoms such as a short febrile illness with or without a sore throat, vomiting, and on occasions, diarrhoea. Only rarely do enteroviruses cause severe disease, involving the heart (myocarditis) or nervous system, such as meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain), acute flaccid paralysis (limb weakness) or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Enterovirus encephalitis (EVE) can present as meningoencephalitis, an illness similar to herpes simplex encephalitis, or a severe brainstem encephalitis. Patients may show lethargy, somnolence, altered consciousness, personality change, hallucinations, stiff neck, ataxia, seizures or coma. Diagnosis of enterovirus infections A doctor may suspect enterovirus infection based on the symptoms and the risk factors (age, exposure, geographic locations). When there are signs of encephalitis, a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) may be used as part of the diagnostic process to rule out other diagnosis (e.g. tumour) and to help in differentiating the type of the encephalitis. The diagnosis can be confirmed by using various tests (e.g. by identifying the virus in samples taken from the patient: faeces, nose or throat secretions, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), vesicle fluid and/or blood, or identifying antibodies against enteroviruses). Treatment of enterovirus infections Unfortunately, there is no specific antiviral medication for enterovirus infection. Treatment consists of medication to control fever and pain and/or intensive care therapies in severe cases. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy has been used in chronic enterovirus infections in immunocompromised patients (patients with weakened immune systems) with some success. Also, an experimental drug, plecoranil, has shown some promise in enteroviral infections. Prevention of enterovirus infections Enterovirus infections are hard to prevent. People may not show symptoms and yet may be carrying and spreading the virus. Enteroviruses are very contagious. They spread through faecal-oral, respiratory and oral-to-oral routes in crowded environments. For example transmission may occur if you touch hands with an infected person, or objects that have the virus on them, change nappies or drink infected water. Perinatal (immediately before and after the birth) and post-natal transmission from mother to baby can occur. Early diagnosis and effective management of identified cases are key to limiting transmission. Careful attention to hand and personal hygiene can help limit outbreaks particularly after contact with secretions from an infected individual. The viruses are very resilient. They can be killed with standard disinfectant and heat, but they are resilient to freezing and chlorine. Enteroviruses are a major public health concern given the increase in outbreaks of serious neurological diseases, such as brainstem encephalitis due to serotypes 71 (please see below). These may lead to death and disability in survivors. Effective antiviral treatment and vaccination are still needed. Risk factors Risk factors associated with enterovirus infections are: Environmental: poor sanitation and crowded living conditions. Age: young children are at a greater risk because of poor hygiene and lack of prior immunity. Health: immunocompromised people have a higher risk of severe or chronic infection and certain medication (rituximab) can potentially increase the risk. Enterovirus encephalitis in newborns (neonatal) Newborns are at a particular risk of developing meningoencephalitis after infection with enteroviruses. Enterovirus infection in newborns may present with fever, poor-feeding, irritability, lethargy, jaundice, and ‘sepsis’. In a newborn with symptoms and signs suggestive of possible enterovirus infection, a lumbar puncture (LP) should be considered to obtain and examine the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The illness can result in significant brain injury and long-term neurological and developmental problems. Human Enterovirus 71 (HEV71) HEV71 is a type of enterovirus that can cause large outbreaks of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) and, in some children, meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis and a severe brainstem encephalitis with high mortality (death). Children with brainstem encephalitis usually present with myoclonus (quick, involuntary muscle jerk), tremor, ataxia (co-ordination, balance and speech difficulties), nystagmus (involuntary eye movement) and cranial nerve palsies. The outcomes of brainstem encephalitis are poor. Only a few children recover fully, many are left with permanent neurological outcomes. HEV71 epidemics have caused great public health concern because of their size and the risk of children younger than five years old developing severe neurological disease and potentially death. HEV71 epidemics are seasonal, with the highest transmission rates occurring during warmer and wetter months. Infection control practices consist mainly of hand washing, disinfection, and isolation during epidemics. FEEDBACK What do you think about this information? Please leave us your feedback FS042V2 Enterovirus encephalitis Page created: February 2015/ Update date: December 2018/ Review date: December 2021 Disclaimer: If you would like more information on the source material the author used to write this document please contact the Encephalitis Society. None of the authors of the above document has declared any conflict of interest which may arise from being named as an author of this document.