Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV)

In news– Recently, National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad has found Non-Structural 1 protein, a potential diagnostic biomarker for Japanese encephalitis virus.

Key updates-

Since there is no cure available for JEV, early detection is essential to mitigate a breakout.
NIAB, Hyderabad developed Fluorine Doped Tin Oxide (FTO) electrode fabricated with reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) for as an electrochemical based immunosensor for the rapid, sensitive and specific detection of the Non-Structural 1 (NS1) secretory protein, which is suitable biomarker for JEV found circulating in the blood.
Since the conventional methods for JEV diagnosis are expensive, more hazardous and time-consuming diagnostic techniques and require an elaborate laboratory set up and trained expertise, the developed biosensor may be able to overcome these limitations.
Detection of the NS1 instead of antibody has an added advantage since the antigen is present from day 1 of the infection and hence facilitates early detection.
On the other hand, antibodies appear only after Day 4/5 of the infection.

About Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)

It is a mosquito-borne flavivirus (mosquitos of the Culex species), and belongs to the same genus as dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses.
The first case of JEV was documented in 1871 in Japan.
JEV is the most important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia.
Most JEV infections are mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms, but approximately 1 in 250 infections results in severe clinical illness.
The incubation period is between 4-14 days.
In children, gastrointestinal pain and vomiting may be the dominant initial symptoms.
Severe disease is characterized by rapid onset of high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, seizures, spastic paralysis and ultimately death.
The case-fatality rate can be as high as 30% among those with disease symptoms.
There is no cure for the disease.
Treatment is focused on relieving severe clinical signs and supporting the patient to overcome the infection.
Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent JE.
24 countries in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions have endemic JEV transmission, exposing more than 3 billion people to risks of infection.