Objective To investigate the changes of the neuron-specific enolase(NSE) and soluble intercellar adhesion molecule-1(CAM-1) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) in the patients with viral encephhalites (VE). Methods The levels of NSE and sICAM-1 in serum and CSF were determined before and after treatment using ELISA in 58 patients with VE and 20 normal persons. Results The levels of NSE and sICAM-1 in serum before treatment were obviously higher than those of control group, and their differences were significant (P0.05). Conclusions NSE and sICAM-1 may contribute to pathologic course in infection of VE and the levels of NSE and sICAM-1 in serum and CSF may serve as markers of differential diagnosis and clinical significance.