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Kunjin encephalitis

ICD-10 Codes

Related ICD-10:

Description

Kunjin encephalitis, also known as Kunjin disease or West Nile virus infection, is a subtype of West Nile Virus transmitted by the bite of an infected Culex annulirostris mosquito.

Symptoms:

  • The symptoms for Kunjin disease can be similar to Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) but are generally milder [5].
  • However, the most common symptoms for Kunjin virus include:
    • Swollen and aching lymph nodes
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Muscle pain
    • Nausea
    • Rash
    • Vomiting [6]
  • If symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis occur, please seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms include:
    • Severe headaches
    • Neck stiffness
    • Confusion
    • Seizures

Disease Characteristics:

  • Kunjin encephalitis is a rare but potentially fatal disease characterised by severe neurological symptoms, including encephalitis [8].
  • KUN (Kunjin virus) is a milder febrile illness compared to MVE [8].

Transmission and Cause:

  • West Nile virus infection (including Kunjin virus) is a disease caused by a flavivirus. These diseases spread to humans via the bite of an infected mosquito [9].
  • The Culex annulirostris mosquito is the primary vector for transmitting Kunjin encephalitis.

References: [1] - Not relevant [2] - Not relevant [3] - A West Nile encephalitis that results in infection located in brain, has material basis in Kunjin virus, a subtype of West Nile Virus. [4] - West Nile virus disease can be described as a febrile illness of sudden onset, often accompanied by tiredness, headache, muscle pain, nausea, rash, vomiting, ... [5] - Kunjin encephalitis is a subtype of West Nile Virus transmitted by Culex annulirostris mosquito bite. It results in brain infection and presents symptoms such as swollen and aching lymph nodes. [6] - The symptoms for Kunjin disease can be similar to MVE but are generally milder. However, the most common symptoms for Kunjin virus include: swollen and aching lymph nodes [7] - If symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis occur, please seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms include: Severe headaches. Neck stiffness. [8] - MVE is a rare but potentially fatal disease characterised by severe neurological symptoms, including encephalitis. KUN is a milder febrile illness. [9] - Jun 14, 2022 — West Nile virus infection (including Kunjin virus) is a disease caused by a flavivirus. These diseases spread to humans via the bite of an infected mosquito.

Additional Characteristics

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Seizures
  • Muscle pain
  • Severe headaches
  • Neck stiffness
  • Kunjin encephalitis
  • Swollen and aching lymph nodes
  • Confusion

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of Kunitz Encephalitis

Kunitz encephalitis, also known as Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE), is a viral infection that can cause inflammation in the brain. The symptoms of this disease can vary from mild to severe and include:

  • Fever: A high temperature is often one of the first signs of MVE [1].
  • Headache: A headache can be a symptom of MVE, ranging from mild to severe [3][6].
  • Muscle pain: Muscle aches and pains are common symptoms of MVE [3][6].
  • Rash: Some people may experience a rash as a symptom of MVE [3].
  • Confusion and drowsiness: In more severe cases, MVE can cause confusion, drowsiness, and even seizures [1][7].

It's worth noting that some people infected with the virus may not show any symptoms at all or may only experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting [5]. However, in rare cases, MVE can lead to more serious complications, including permanent brain damage [8].

References:

[1] Oct 17, 2017 — Symptoms of encephalitis may include confusion, drowsiness and seizures (fits). Those with encephalitis will usually require hospitalisation. [3] It can cause mild illness with symptoms like fever, headache, muscle pain, and rash, and in some cases, it can lead to encephalitis. [5] Jan 13, 2021 — Many people infected with MVEV are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. About one in 1000 people ... [6] Feb 6, 2024 — Symptoms are variable, but typically include sudden onset of fever, anorexia and headache. Vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, muscle aches and ... [7] Feb 1, 2016 — Symptoms of encephalitis may include: > fever. > rigors. > headache. > neck stiffness. > irritability. > confusion. > drowsiness (excessive ... [8] Viral encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by a virus. The most serious potential complication is permanent brain damage.

Additional Symptoms

Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic Tests for Kunjin Encephalitis

Kunjin encephalitis, also known as West Nile virus (WNV) infection, can be diagnosed through various tests. Here are some of the diagnostic methods used to detect this condition:

  • Blood tests: Antibody tests performed on blood samples can diagnose Kunjin virus infection. Two blood samples are usually required, with the first taken at the onset of symptoms and the second taken 10-14 days later [3].
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing: Detecting Kunjin virus in CSF can also confirm the diagnosis.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI is the radiologic modality of choice for evaluating patients with suspected encephalitis, including those caused by Kunjin virus [4].
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests: PCR tests can be performed on CSF or blood samples to detect the presence of Kunjin virus.
  • IgG seroconversion: This test measures the level of IgG antibodies against Kunjin virus in the blood, which can indicate a recent infection.

Other diagnostic methods

  • Viral culture: This involves growing the virus from a sample of CSF or blood to confirm its presence.
  • Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR): This test detects the genetic material of the virus in a sample.
  • Imaging tests: CT head and MRI brain scans may be used to rule out other conditions that may cause

Additional Diagnostic Tests

  • Blood tests
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests
  • Imaging tests
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing
  • IgG seroconversion
  • Viral culture
  • Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Treatment

No Specific Treatment Available

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment available for Kunjin virus infection and its associated encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The treatment is largely supportive, focusing on managing symptoms and providing care to alleviate discomfort.

  • Antiviral medications: No known antiviral medications are currently marketed for the treatment of neuroinvasive flaviviruses, including Kunjin virus infection. [6]
  • Experimental compounds: However, several compounds are under investigation as potential treatments for flavivirus infections, but none have been approved or proven effective yet. [6]

It's essential to note that prompt medical attention is crucial if symptoms persist or worsen over time. If you suspect someone has contracted Kunjin virus infection, it's recommended to seek immediate medical care.

References: [1] No specific treatment for Kunjin virus infection. [4] Care is largely supportive with no established antiviral treatment. [6] Various compounds have shown promise in experimental studies but none are approved or proven effective.

Recommended Medications

  • No specific treatment available
  • Antiviral medications (no known marketing)
  • Experimental compounds (under investigation)

💊 Drug information is sourced from ChEBI (Chemical Entities of Biological Interest) database. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any medication. Click on any medication name for detailed information.

Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis of Kunjin Encephalitis

Kunjin encephalitis, caused by the Kunjin virus, can be challenging to diagnose due to its similarity in symptoms with other diseases. The differential diagnosis for Kunjin encephalitis includes:

  • West Nile Virus (WNV) Disease: WNV disease and Kunjin virus disease share similar symptoms, including acute febrile meningoencephalitis [7]. In fact, the two viruses are so closely related that they can be difficult to distinguish from each other serologically [9].
  • Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) Disease: MVE disease is another mosquito-borne viral encephalitis that can present with similar symptoms to Kunjin encephalitis, including fever, headache, and altered consciousness [7].
  • Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Virus: JE virus is a flavivirus that can cause encephalitis in humans. While it is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, the symptoms of JE virus disease can be similar to those of Kunjin encephalitis [6].

Key Diagnostic Features

To differentiate Kunjin encephalitis from other diseases, clinicians should look for the following key features:

  • Geographic Location: Kunjin virus is primarily found in Australia and New Guinea [3].
  • Clinical Presentation: While the symptoms of Kunjin encephalitis can be similar to those of WNV disease and MVE disease, they tend to be milder [10].
  • Laboratory Tests: Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), can be used to diagnose Kunjin virus infection. However, these tests may not always distinguish between Kunjin virus and other flaviviruses [9].

References

[3] Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by the MVE virus which is carried by mosquitoes. Kunjin virus is a related virus that can cause similar symptoms.

[6] May 24, 2024 — Diagnosis ; Blood – serum. (2 to 5mL in children, 5 to 10 mL in adults, in a serum tube). MVE virus, JE virus and West Nile/Kunjin virus serology.

[7] Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by the MVE virus which is carried by mosquitoes. Kunjin virus is a related virus that can cause similar symptoms.

[9] by PG Charles · 2001 · Cited by 3 — Diagnosis is generally made serologically with paired sera. The time between onset of symptoms and seroconversion is generally between 2 and 5 weeks.

[10] Kunjin virus encephalitis features acute febrile meningoencephalitis. Both forms of Kunjin virus disease are milder than the diseases caused by West Nile virus.

Additional Differential Diagnoses

Additional Information

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