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Summary: Objective: Epidemiological studies have shown that most central nervous system (CNS) infections are viral. The objective of this study is to contribute to the knowledge base concerning viral CNS infections in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Methods: Two hundred cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were taken from patients with clinically suspected viral CNS infection and analyzed for herpesvirus, enterovirus, alphavirus and flavivirus using PCR assays. Results: Viral genome was detected in 43 CSF samples (23.34%): 6% cytomegalovirus (CMV), 5% herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), 0.5% each varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), and 11.34% enterovirus. Co-infections (CMV–enterovirus and CMV–HSV-1) were found in 3 patients. CSF parameters such as cytology and protein level were normal in many patients with viral genome-positive CSF. Conclusions: Data obtained in this study contribute to the knowledge base concerning viral CNS infections in Brazil. This information will have a major impact on the clinical management of patients with CNS disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is an emerging syndrome in the Americas. The disease results from intense immune activation and changes in vascular permeability. The aim of this study was to determine the profile of serum cytokines in HPS patients looking for correlation with the clinical parameters, severity and outcome of illness. Studying 21 HPS patients, we found that IL-6 may have an important role in the pathogenesis of HPS, being associated with fatal outcome. Our results also support a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response during the course of HPS and that the magnitude of Th1 response effector cytokines is correlated to HPS severity. The decreased levels of TGF-β observed in HPS patients suggest that immunoregulatory activity could be damaged in these patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]