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Powassan Virus
''Powassan virus (POWV)'' is a ''Flavivirus'' transmitted by ticks, found in North America and in the Russian Far East. It is named after the town of Powassan, Ontario, where it was identified in a young boy who eventually died from it. It can cause encephalitis, an infection of the brain. No approved vaccine or antiviral drug exists. Prevention of tick bites is the best precaution. Classification and occurrence ''Powassan virus'' (POWV) is a ''Flavivirus'' named after the town of Powassan, Ontario, Canada, where it was identified in a 5-year-old boy who died from encephalitis in 1958. The virus exists in North America and causes long-term neurological sequelae. The first human case in the United States was found in 1970 in New Jersey and in Russia in 1978. , ''Powassan virus'' has been noted as the only tick-borne ''Flavivirus'' in North America with human pathogenicity. ''Powassan virus'' is also found in the warm climate across Eurasia, where it is part of the tick-borne ence ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Deer Tick Virus
Deer tick virus (DTV) is a virus in the genus ''Flavivirus'' spread via ticks that causes encephalitis. Taxonomy DTV closely resembles Powassan virus (to which it has 84% nucleotide sequence identity and 94% amino acid sequence identity). Due to their close similarities, DTV is also called Powassan virus lineage II. The DTV lineage is presumed to be maintained between ''Ixodes scapularis'', or deer ticks, and the white-footed mouse ('' Peromyscus leucopus''). Epidemiology DTV has a strong prevalence in the northeastern and north central part of the United States, although little to no human infections have been reported. Only about 1 to 3% of ''I. scapularis'' ticks in the northern United States are possibly infected with DTV. This infers that the virus is not seriously pathogenic or it does not easily infect humans. Human incidence might be severely underestimated. History In 1997, it was isolated from ''I. scapularis'' ticks collected in Massachusetts and Connecticut. A f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dermacentor Variabilis
''Dermacentor variabilis'', also known as the American dog tick or wood tick, is a species of tick that is known to carry bacteria responsible for several diseases in humans, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia (''Francisella tularensis''). It is one of the best-known hard ticks. Diseases are spread when it sucks blood from the host. It may take several days for the host to experience symptoms. Though ''D. variabilis'' may be exposed to ''Borrelia burgdorferi'', the causative agent of Lyme disease, these ticks are not competent vectors for the transmission of this disease. The primary vectors for ''B. burgdorferi'' are the deer ticks '' Ixodes scapularis'' in eastern parts of the United States, '' Ixodes pacificus'' in California and Oregon, and ''Ixodes ricinus'' in Europe. ''D. variabilis'' may also carry '' Anaplasma phagocytophilum'', the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and '' Ehrlichia chaffeensis'', the causative agent of human mon ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is inflammation of the Human brain, brain. The severity can be variable with symptoms including reduction or alteration in consciousness, headache, fever, confusion, a stiff neck, and vomiting. Complications may include seizures, hallucinations, trouble speaking, memory problems, and problems with hearing. Causes of encephalitis include viruses such as herpes simplex virus and rabies virus as well as bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Other causes include autoimmune diseases and certain medications. In many cases the cause remains unknown. Risk factors include a immunosuppression, weak immune system. Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms and supported by blood tests, medical imaging, and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. Certain types are preventable with vaccines. Treatment may include antiviral medications (such as acyclovir), anticonvulsants, and corticosteroids. Treatment generally takes place in hospital. Some people require artificial respiration. Once the immedi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wistar Institute
The Wistar Institute () is an independent, nonprofit research institution in biomedical science, with expertise in oncology, immunology, infectious disease and vaccine research. Located on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, Wistar was founded in 1892 as America's first nonprofit institution solely focused on biomedical research and training. The institute ties with the university, reflected in research collaboration and shared access to facilities. Since 1972, Wistar has been a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center. It has received the highest rating of "exceptional" in two consecutive terms in 2013 and 2018 by the Cancer Center Support Grant. Known worldwide for vaccine development, some of the institute's accomplishments are its contributions to the creation of vaccines for rubella (German Measles), rotavirus and rabies. Research Cancer research Working at The Wistar Institute Cancer Center spans from basic to translational and disease-relevant ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kay Hagan
Janet Kay Hagan (née Ruthven; May 26, 1953 – October 28, 2019) was an American lawyer, banking executive, and politician who served as a United States Senator from North Carolina from 2009 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the North Carolina Senate from 1999 to 2009. By defeating Republican Elizabeth Dole in the 2008 election, she became the first woman to defeat an incumbent woman in a U.S. Senate election. She ran for reelection in 2014 but lost to Republican Thom Tillis, Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, in a close race. Early life and education Hagan was born Janet Kay Ruthven in Shelby, North Carolina, the daughter of Jeanette (née Chiles), a homemaker, and Josie Perry "Joe" Ruthven, a tire salesman. Her uncle (mother's brother) was the Lakeland native and U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles (D-Fla.), who later became Florida Governor following his service in the U.S. Senate. Both Hagan's father and her brother serve ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Encephalomalacia
Cerebral softening, also known as encephalomalacia, is a localized softening of the substance of the brain, due to bleeding or inflammation. Three varieties, distinguished by their color and representing different stages of the disease progress, are known respectively as red, yellow, and white softening. Causes Stroke Ischemia: A decreased or restriction of circulating blood flow to a region of the brain which deprives neurons of the necessary substrates (primarily glucose); represents 80% of all strokes. A thrombus or embolus plugs an artery so there is a reduction or cessation of blood flow. This hypoxia or anoxia leads to neuronal injury, which is known as a stroke. The death of neurons leads to a so-called softening of the cerebrum in the affected area. Hemorrhage: Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs in deep penetrating vessels and disrupts the connecting pathways, causing a localized pressure injury and in turn injury to brain tissue in the affected area. Hemorrhaging can ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gliosis
Gliosis is a nonspecific reactive change of glial cells in response to damage to the central nervous system (CNS). In most cases, gliosis involves the proliferation or hypertrophy of several different types of glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. In its most extreme form, the proliferation associated with gliosis leads to the formation of a glial scar. The process of gliosis involves a series of cellular and molecular events that occur over several days. Typically, the first response to injury is the migration of macrophages and local microglia to the injury site. This process, which constitutes a form of gliosis known as microgliosis, begins within hours of the initial CNS injury. Later, after 3–5 days, oligodendrocyte precursor cells are also recruited to the site and may contribute to remyelination. The final component of gliosis is astrogliosis, the proliferation of surrounding astrocytes, which are the main constituents of the glial scar. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paresis
In medicine, paresis () is a condition typified by a weakness of voluntary movement, or by partial loss of voluntary movement or by impaired movement. When used without qualifiers, it usually refers to the limbs, but it can also be used to describe the muscles of the eyes ( ophthalmoparesis), the stomach (gastroparesis), and also the vocal cords ( Vocal cord paresis). Neurologists use the term ''paresis'' to describe weakness, and ''plegia'' to describe paralysis in which all voluntary movement is lost. The term ''paresis'' comes from the grc, πάρεσις 'letting go' from παρίημι 'to let go, to let fall'. Types Limbs * Monoparesis – One leg or one arm * Paraparesis – Both legs * Hemiparesis – The loss of function to only one side of the body * Triparesis Three limbs. This can either mean both legs and one arm, both arms and a leg, or a combination of one arm, one leg, and face * Double Hemiparesis all four limbs are involved, but one side of the body i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aphasia
Aphasia is an inability to comprehend or formulate language because of damage to specific brain regions. The major causes are stroke and head trauma; prevalence is hard to determine but aphasia due to stroke is estimated to be 0.1–0.4% in the Global North. Aphasia can also be the result of brain tumors, brain infections, or neurodegenerative diseases (such as dementias). To be diagnosed with aphasia, a person's speech or language must be significantly impaired in one (or more) of the four aspects of communication following acquired brain injury. Alternatively, in the case of progressive aphasia, it must have significantly declined over a short period of time. The four aspects of communication are auditory comprehension, verbal expression, reading and writing, and functional communication. The difficulties of people with aphasia can range from occasional trouble finding words, to losing the ability to speak, read, or write; intelligence, however, is unaffected. Expressive ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Meningoencephalitis
Meningoencephalitis (; from ; ; and the medical suffix ''-itis'', "inflammation"), also known as herpes meningoencephalitis, is a medical condition that simultaneously resembles both meningitis, which is an infection or inflammation of the meninges, and encephalitis, which is an infection or inflammation of the brain. Signs and symptoms Signs of meningoencephalitis include unusual behavior, personality changes, and thinking problems. Symptoms may include headache, fever, pain in neck movement, light sensitivity, and seizure. Causes Causative organisms include protozoans, viral and bacterial pathogens. Specific types include: Bacterial Veterinarians have observed meningoencephalitis in animals infected with listeriosis, caused by the pathogenic bacteria '' L. monocytogenes''. Meningitis and encephalitis already present in the brain or spinal cord of an animal may form simultaneously into meningeoencephalitis. The bacterium commonly targets the sensitive structures of the b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Serology
Serology is the scientific study of serum and other body fluids. In practice, the term usually refers to the diagnostic identification of antibodies in the serum. Such antibodies are typically formed in response to an infection (against a given microorganism), against other foreign proteins (in response, for example, to a mismatched blood transfusion), or to one's own proteins (in instances of autoimmune disease). In either case, the procedure is simple. Serological tests Serological tests are diagnostic methods that are used to identify antibodies and antigens in a patient's sample. Serological tests may be performed to diagnose infections and autoimmune illnesses, to check if a person has immunity to certain diseases, and in many other situations, such as determining an individual's blood type. Serological tests may also be used in forensic serology to investigate crime scene evidence. Several methods can be used to detect antibodies and antigens, including ELISA, agglutina ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), or acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis, is a rare autoimmune disease marked by a sudden, widespread attack of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. As well as causing the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed, ADEM also attacks the nerves of the central nervous system and damages their myelin insulation, which, as a result, destroys the white matter. It is often triggered by a viral infection or vaccinations. ADEM's symptoms resemble the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), so the disease itself is sorted into the classification of the multiple sclerosis borderline diseases. However, ADEM has several features that distinguish it from MS. Unlike MS, ADEM occurs usually in children and is marked with rapid fever, although adolescents and adults can get the disease too. ADEM consists of a single flare-up whereas MS is marked with several flare-ups (or relapses), over a long period of time. Relapses following ADEM are reported ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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