INVESTIGATORS from Universiti Malaya Sarawak (Unimas) have identified the specific genes that become overactive as a result of nerve cell infection with Japanese encephalitis virus. The genes activate cell receptors and signalling proteins that attract immune cells to the brain. The finding suggests that nerve cells may play a significant immune role against the virus, but may also be involved in exacerbating the brain inflammation that is characteristic of the infection.
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is transmitted by
