Using these definitions, herpes simplex virus is highly neuroinvasive for the peripheral nervous system and rarely neuroinvasive for the central nervous system, but in the latter case may cause herpesviral encephalitis and is therefore considered highly neurovirulent.
[citation needed] Neurotropic viruses that cause infection include Japanese Encephalitis, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis, and California encephalitis viruses; polio, coxsackie, echo, mumps, measles, influenza and rabies, as well as diseases caused by members of the family Herpesviridae such as herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, Epstein–Barr, cytomegalovirus and HHV-6 viruses.
[2] All seven of the known human coronaviruses are neurotropic, the common cold viruses mainly in vulnerable populations while the more virulent SARS-CoV-1, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 frequently attack the nervous systems (primarily in animal models).
[3] Those causing latent infection include herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses.
[citation needed] Neurotropic viruses are increasingly being exploited as research tools, and for their potential use in treatment.