Viral Infections of the CNS

Question 1

Which viral CNS infection is limited to the tropics?

Answer 1

Arbovirus

Question 2

What are the 4 steps required for a viral CNS infection?

Answer 2

1. Infection of the axon, sensory terminal or cell body
2. Transport to the nucleus so replication can occur
3. Replicate viral genome
4. Assembly of viral particles so that they can egress from the infected neuron in a directional manner

Question 3

What is unique about the herpes virus transport mechanism?

Answer 3

It is bi-directional

Question 4

What is the importance of herpes virus undergoing bi-directional transport?

Answer 4

It can remain latent and reactivate either as a CNS infection (lethal encephalitis) or at the skin

Question 5

What is the effect of an enterovirus infection of the CNS?

Answer 5

Primarily meningitis, occasionally involves the spinal cord –> myelitis or paralysis (think polio)

Question 6

Which is the most common arboviruses?

Answer 6

West Nile Virus

Question 7

What symptoms is typical of arbovirus?

Answer 7

Meningitis

Question 8

Does the rabies virus travel uni-directionally or bi-directionally?

Answer 8

Uni-directional

Question 9

How do you get Kuru?

Answer 9

Eating infected human brains