Knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of
viral encephalitis, defined as
inflammation and destruction of the central nervous system (CNS) from
viral infection and the resulting immune response, has improved with advances in molecular biology techniques and recent advances in immunology and neuroscience research. An increasingly complex understanding has developed with regard to
viral CNS infection. In addition to advances in viral genetics exploring increased viral spread and neurovirulence, improved understanding from research on neurochemistry, neurodevelopment, and
cytokine expression in the CNS has led to new hypotheses regarding the mechanism of CNS damage during
viral CNS infection. This review explores three advances in the understanding of
viral encephalitis in the past few years: 1) the relationship between viral load and extent of viral
CNS disease, 2)
chemokines and their role in the CNS inflammatory response as well as in the pathogenesis of
encephalitis, and 3) secondary damage from the release of
neurotoxins during
encephalitis. By examining this research, the reviewers intend to introduce novel therapeutic modalities that are developing for the management of patients with
viral encephalitis beyond the timely use of
antiviral therapy.