Japanese Encephalitis Virus
True or false: Japanese Encephalitis Virus is an RNA virus
TRUE
What creature is known for transmitting/spreading Japanese Encephalitis among other animals?
Mosquitos
True or False: Haemophilus Influenzae causes influenza
False, it is not related to influenza at all
What are some methods of diagnosing bacterial meningitis?
- Blood Culturing
- CT or MRI scanning
- Spinal Tap
Japanese Encephalitis Virus is classified as what kind of virus?
Flavivirus, which are viruses that belong to the flaviviridae family
True or False: There is an antiviral treatment for Japanese Encephalitis Virus
False, treatment is more so supportive as there is no current antiviral treatment for the disease
Is Haemophilus Influenzae a Grams positive or Grams negative bacteria?
Grams negative
When was Japanese Encephalitis first discovered?
1871
What is the incubation period for Japanese Encephalitis Virus?
5-15 days
True or False: 20 to 30 percent of individuals who do survive the disease end up having permanent cognitive, behavioural or neurological conditions as a result of the symptom’s disease
True
Define the term invasive
- Is Haemophilus Influenzae invasive?
Invasive - invades parts of your body that are usually germ free such as the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord
- It is an invasive bacteria, as the virus causes meningitis
How many people die each year due to Japanese Encephalitis Virus?
10,000-15,000 people
What is the viral shape of Japanese Encephalitis?
★ Bonus 1000 points for one benefit a virus has for being structured in this kind of shape ★
Icosahedron (Icosahedral)
- Multiple faces for attachment efficiency
- The uniform structure raises challenges for the host’s immune system in terms of antibody recognition
- Capsid symmetry allows for the ordered arrangement of the nucleic acid and maximizing density of genome packaging
How is Japanese Encephalitis diagnosed?
Spinal tap and lab examination
What are some common symptoms for Bacterial Meningitis? (List at least 3)
★ Bonus 1000 if you can list one of the symptoms present in babies and young children ★
Common Symptoms include: Fever, Headache, Stiff Neck, Nausea and vomiting, photophobia and confusion
- Baby and Young Children symptoms include: Sleepiness/Trouble waking up, Lethargy, Irritability, Bulging soft spot on baby’s head, seizures
What region in the world is highly affected by Japanese Encephalitis?
Southeast Asia as well as parts of the western pacific–from India and Bangladesh through China and Japan and south to Papua New Guinea and the islands of the Torres Strait in Australia
Define the term “proteolytic”
Proteolytic - a molecule capable of breaking down proteins or peptides into amino acids using enzymes
What are the three main modes of transmission for Japanese encephalitis?
- Mosquito to human transmission
- Animal to human transmission
- Human to Human transmission
In a conducted 2022 study, 87% of individuals returned to work but still persist with symptoms such as headaches, sleep problems or concentration difficulties. Long term complications can occur with treatment with 1/3rd of individuals being affected.
What are some long term conditions that may come as a result of contracting bacterial meningitis? (List at least 2 complications)
Hearing loss
Seizures
Cognitive impairment
Movement and speech problems
Hydrocephalus
Why does the meninges inflame?
- As immune cells flood the nervous system they release cascades of cytokines which regulate inflammation to help combat the pathogens that have entered the blood brain barrier, which they can alter
- The resulting inflammation due to the release of cytokines doesn’t solely target the invading pathogens but also the surrounding nerve tissue, leading to the inflammation of the meninges