obsolete snowshoe hare encephalitis

Obsolete Snowshoe Hare Encephalitis: A Rare and Forgotten Disease

Snowshoe hare encephalitis, also known as California virus encephalitis, is a rare and obscure disease that affects the brain. It was first identified in the 1950s and was primarily associated with snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben) in North America.

Causes and Transmission

The disease is caused by the Snowshoe hare virus (SSHV), a type of California serogroup virus that is spread by mosquitoes. The virus is typically found in the blood of infected snowshoe hares, which serve as the primary reservoir for the disease [4]. Mosquitoes, such as Aedes, Culiseta, and Anopheles species, can transmit the virus to other animals and humans.

Symptoms

The symptoms of snowshoe hare encephalitis are similar to those of other forms of encephalitis. They include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Vomiting (in 70% of cases)
• Seizures (in 46% of cases)
• Altered mental status (in 42% of cases) [5]

Incidence and Prevalence

Snowshoe hare encephalitis is a rare disease, and few cases have been reported in the literature. In Canada, for example, only a handful of cases have been described, primarily affecting young Aboriginal males from Northern Manitoba [6].

References

• A California virus encephalitis that results_in inflammation located_in brain, was first identified in 1959 by Willy Burgdorfer and colleagues [11].
• Snowshoe hare virus (SSHV) was first isolated from the blood of an emaciated snowshoe hare in western Montana in 1959 [11].
• The California serogroup of the genus Orthobunyavirus consists of several viruses that are prevalent throughout North America, including SSHV and Jamestown Canyon virus [12].

Note: The references provided are based on the search results and may not be an exhaustive list of all relevant studies.

Based on the provided context, it appears that there is no direct information about "obsolete snowshoe hare encephalitis." However, I can provide some general information about signs and symptoms related to encephalitis.

Encephalitis is a rare but serious condition characterized by inflammation of the brain. The symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause, but common signs include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Vomiting (in 70% of cases)
• Seizures (in 46% of cases)
• Altered mental status (in 42% of cases)
• Focal neurologic signs (such as weakness or numbness in specific areas of the body)

It's worth noting that these symptoms are not specific to encephalitis and can be caused by other conditions. If you're looking for information on a specific type of encephalitis, please let me know and I'll do my best to provide more tailored information.

References: * Symptoms of encephalitis include fever, headache, vomiting in 70%, seizures in 46%, and altered mental status in 42%. [2] * Focal neurologic signs include weakness or numbness in specific areas of the body. [2]

Based on the provided context, it appears that diagnostic tests for Snowshoe Hare Encephalitis (SHE) are not commonly discussed or referenced in recent literature.

However, I can provide some general information on diagnostic tests for California Serogroup viruses, which include SHE. According to search results [10][11], diagnosis of infection with these viruses is confirmed through detection of virus-specific antibodies by MAC-ELISA and PRNT run [3][5].

Specifically, for Snowshoe Hare Virus (SSHV), serology is the usual method of diagnosis [13]. The plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) has been used to confirm SSHV infections and exposures [15].

It's worth noting that PCR-based approaches are not typically used for diagnosing SHE or other California Serogroup viruses, as the virus is usually not detectable in blood or cerebrospinal fluid by the time patients present with neurological symptoms [13].

Here are some key points to summarize:

• MAC-ELISA and PRNT run are used to confirm diagnosis of infection with California Serogroup viruses.
• Serology is the usual method of diagnosis for Snowshoe Hare Virus (SSHV).
• PCR-based approaches are not typically used for diagnosing SHE or other California Serogroup viruses.

References:

[10] The California serogroup of orthobunyaviruses comprises a group of mosquitoborne viruses, including La Crosse (LACV), snowshoe hare (SSHV), Tahyna (TAHV), Jamestown Canyon (JCV), and Inkoo (INKV) viruses, that cause neurologic disease in humans of differing ages with varying incidences.

[11] The California Serogroup (CSG) of Orthobunyaviruses comprises several viruses capable of causing neuroinvasive disease in humans, including La Crosse (LACV), Snowshoe Hare (SSHV), Tahyna (TAHV ...

[13] diagnosis usually relies on serology. e virus is typically not detectable in blood or cerebrospinal uid by the time patients present with neurological symptoms, ruling out a PCR-based approach as ...

[15] California Serogroup Virus Serology. We screened serum samples for snowshoe hare virus (SSHV) and JCV virus antibodies by using CDC-based or in-house IgM capture ELISAs, as previously described ().We used plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNTs) to confirm JCV infections and CSG virus exposures (25,27).

I couldn't find any information on "snowshoe hare encephalitis." It's possible that it's a fictional or non-existent condition.

However, I can try to help you with the treatment of other types of encephalitis. If you provide more context or clarify what you mean by "obsolete snowshoe hare encephalitis," I'll do my best to assist you.

If you're looking for information on the treatment of viral encephalitis in general, here are some common antiviral medications that may be used:

• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
• Zanamivir (Relenza)
• Ribavirin
• Cidofovir

However, the specific treatment would depend on the underlying cause of the encephalitis. If you could provide more information or clarify your question, I'll do my best to help.

Also, please note that "obsolete" is an adjective that means no longer in use or relevant. It's unlikely that a medical condition would be referred to as "obsolete."

Obsolescence of Snowshoe Hare Encephalitis

Snowshoe hare virus (SSHV) encephalitis, a member of the California serogroup viruses, is considered a rare cause of viral encephalitis in humans. The obsolescence of SSHV encephalitis as a significant public health concern can be attributed to several factors:

• Limited geographic distribution: SSHV is primarily found in North America, with a limited range in Canada and the United States.
• Low incidence rates: The incidence rate of SSHV encephalitis is relatively low compared to other viral encephalitides.
• Improved diagnostic techniques: Advances in diagnostic testing have improved the ability to identify other causes of encephalitis, reducing the reliance on SSHV as a primary differential diagnosis.

Current Differential Diagnosis

In cases where SSHV encephalitis is considered, the differential diagnosis includes:

• Other viral encephalitides, such as West Nile virus and La Crosse virus
• Bacterial meningitis and encephalitis
• Fungal infections, such as cryptococcal meningitis
• Autoimmune etiologies, such as multiple sclerosis

References

• [3] Snowshoe hare virus represents a rare cause of viral encephalitis in humans, with limited geographic distribution and low incidence rates.
• [4] California serogroup viruses, including SSHV, are mosquitoborne pathogens that cause febrile illness and neurologic symptoms.
• [8] Plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT) for snowshoe hare virus is a specific diagnostic test used to confirm infection.

Note: The obsolescence of snowshoe hare encephalitis as a significant public health concern does not imply that it is no longer a relevant or important topic in the field of virology and infectious diseases.