Neurologic complications of hepatic viruses

The clinical spectrum of viral hepatitis ranges from asymptomatic and inapparent to fulminant and fatal acute infection. Both acute and chronic liver dysfunction can lead to hepatic encephalopathy. Further neurological manifestations of hepatic viruses include various disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS, respectively). These can develop either as an isolated complication or in the setting of other extrahepatic manifestations. Alternatively, neurological signs and symptoms precede hepatitis, develop in the post-acute phase, or occur with anicteric hepatitis. This chapter summarizes the current knowledge of neurological manifestations of hepatic viruses and also covers conditions related to neurotoxicity caused by different antiviral drugs.