The encephalitis blind spot of neglected orthoflaviviruses circulating in Brazil and mimicry of autoimmune CNS disorders
Abstract Diagnosis of encephalitis remains difficult in regions of arboviruses circulation. While there is evidence of neuroinvasive disease in Ilhéus, Rocio and Saint Louis encephalitis virus infections in Brazil, their role in idiopathic encephalitis remains poorly defined. Herein we delineate how limited testing, short diagnostic windows, and serologic cross-reactivity may favor misclassification of viral encephalitis as idiopathic or presumed autoimmune encephalitis.
Authors
- Shannan Lee Rossi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2450-2374)
- Cássia Fernanda Estofolete (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7324-1591)
- Marielena Vogel Saivish (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7627-621X)
- Nikos Vasilakis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0708-3289)
- Maurício Lacerda Nogueira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1102-2419)
- Caique Alberto Dosualdo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5870-5861)
- Bruno H. G. A. Milhim
Institutions
- Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (BR)
- Hospital de Base (BR)
- The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Viruses
- Published
- 2026-11-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44298-026-00254-w
- Primary Topic
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00