[h=1]Scientists discover a hidden cause of encephalitis[/h] by Ross Neitz,
University of Alberta
A virus previously considered to be relatively harmless has been pinpointed by University of Alberta researchers as a cause of encephalitis.
The finding identifies a pathogen named pegivirus as the culprit, and deepens scientific understanding of what leads to the neurological disease. It's hoped the discovery opens new avenues of research for potential therapies.
"This virus was not known to cause any disease," said Christopher Power, Canada Research Chair in Neurologic Infection and Immunity at the U of A and senior author of the study. "In fact, most people with pegivirus won't get
encephalitis, but we now know that it affects some people uniquely."...
