Japanese Encephalitis

Infectious Disease MONDO:0019209 Pathograph 5 Show in embeddings browser Arbovirus Infection Viral Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne neuroinvasive orthoflavivirus disease caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), transmitted primarily by Culex mosquitoes (especially Culex tritaeniorhynchus) in an enzootic cycle involving wading birds and domestic pigs across Asia and the Western Pacific. Although most human infections are asymptomatic, neuroinvasive disease (roughly 68,000 cases and up to 20,400 deaths annually) targets the thalamus, basal ganglia, brainstem, and cerebral cortex, causing acute encephalitis with a high incidence of early seizures (50% to 80% of cases) and permanent neurological sequelae.

Ask OpenScientist

Ask a research question about Japanese Encephalitis. OpenScientist will conduct autonomous deep research using the Disorder Mechanisms Knowledge Base and PubMed literature (typically 10-30 minutes).

Submitting...

Do not include personal health information in your question. Questions and results are cached in your browser's local storage.

⚙

Pathophysiology

2
Cutaneous Mosquito Inoculation, Peripheral Amplification, and Blood-Brain Barrier Breach
Following inoculation by a Culex mosquito bite, JEV replicates in dermal dendritic cells and regional lymph nodes, generating a transient viremia that crosses the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system.
dendritic cell CL:0000451 Cell Ontology (CL) Relation: this pathophysiological event involves this cell type This pathophysiological event involves dendritic cell (CL:0000451). CL:0000451 is a cell type from the Cell Ontology.
viral genome replication GO:0019079 ↑ INCREASED Gene Ontology (GO) Relation: this pathophysiological event involves this biological process This pathophysiological event involves increased viral genome replication (GO:0019079). GO:0019079 is a biological process from the Gene Ontology.
zone of skin UBERON:0000014 Uberon multi-species anatomy ontology (UBERON) Relation: this pathophysiological event occurs in this anatomical location This pathophysiological event occurs in zone of skin (UBERON:0000014). UBERON:0000014 is an anatomical location from the Uberon multi-species anatomy ontology. blood brain barrier UBERON:0000120 Uberon multi-species anatomy ontology (UBERON) Relation: this pathophysiological event occurs in this anatomical location This pathophysiological event occurs in blood brain barrier (UBERON:0000120). UBERON:0000120 is an anatomical location from the Uberon multi-species anatomy ontology.
Downstream
Neuronal Infection, Microglial Neuroinflammation, and Epileptogenesis Neuroinvasion across the blood-brain barrier delivers JEV to neurons in the thalamus, basal ganglia, and cerebral cortex.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:41755551 SUPPORT Human clinical
"Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease and remains an important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia and parts of the Western Pacific."
Establishes mosquito-borne transmission leading to viral encephalitis.
Neuronal Infection, Microglial Neuroinflammation, and Epileptogenesis
Within the central nervous system, JEV infects neurons and activates microglia, triggering neuronal death, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and network hyperexcitability that produce acute viral encephalitis and early seizures in 50% to 80% of clinical cases.
neuron CL:0000540 Cell Ontology (CL) Relation: this pathophysiological event involves this cell type This pathophysiological event involves neuron (CL:0000540). CL:0000540 is a cell type from the Cell Ontology. microglial cell CL:0000129 Cell Ontology (CL) Relation: this pathophysiological event involves this cell type This pathophysiological event involves microglial cell (CL:0000129). CL:0000129 is a cell type from the Cell Ontology.
inflammatory response GO:0006954 ↑ INCREASED Gene Ontology (GO) Relation: this pathophysiological event involves this biological process This pathophysiological event involves increased inflammatory response (GO:0006954). GO:0006954 is a biological process from the Gene Ontology.
brain UBERON:0000955 Uberon multi-species anatomy ontology (UBERON) Relation: this pathophysiological event occurs in this anatomical location This pathophysiological event occurs in brain (UBERON:0000955). UBERON:0000955 is an anatomical location from the Uberon multi-species anatomy ontology. dorsal plus ventral thalamus UBERON:0001897 Uberon multi-species anatomy ontology (UBERON) Relation: this pathophysiological event occurs in this anatomical location This pathophysiological event occurs in dorsal plus ventral thalamus (UBERON:0001897). UBERON:0001897 is an anatomical location from the Uberon multi-species anatomy ontology.
Downstream
Infectious encephalitis Neuronal infection and neuroinflammation manifest clinically as acute Japanese encephalitis.
Seizure Cortical and thalamic neuronal injury and neuroinflammation provoke early seizures in 50% to 80% of patients.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:35615063 SUPPORT Human clinical
"Given its broad geographic distribution, JEV is probably the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis. Early seizures are reported in 50–80% of cases; epilepsy is less common."
Documents acute arboviral encephalitis and early seizures in 50% to 80% of JEV cases.
⬡

Pathograph

Use Group by to collapse related nodes into one box. Use the checkboxes to hide or show graph categories. Hover nodes for evidence and cross-linked metadata.
Pathograph: causal mechanism network for Japanese Encephalitis Interactive directed graph showing how pathophysiology mechanisms, phenotypes, genetic factors and variants, experimental models, environmental triggers, and treatments relate through causal and linked edges.
●

Phenotypes

2
Immune 1
Infectious encephalitis VERY_FREQUENT HP:0002383 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Infectious encephalitis (HP:0002383). HP:0002383 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:41755551 SUPPORT Human clinical
"Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease and remains an important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia and parts of the Western Pacific."
Establishes viral encephalitis as the hallmark clinical syndrome of JE.
Nervous System 1
Seizure VERY_FREQUENT HP:0001250 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Seizure (HP:0001250). HP:0001250 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:35615063 SUPPORT Human clinical
"Given its broad geographic distribution, JEV is probably the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis. Early seizures are reported in 50–80% of cases; epilepsy is less common."
Reports early seizures in 50% to 80% of clinical JEV encephalitis cases.
💊

Medical Actions

2
Japanese Encephalitis SA 14-14-2 Vaccination (Live-Attenuated SA14-14-2, Inactivated IXIARO, and Chimeric IMOJEV)
Action: vaccinationNCI Thesaurus (NCIT) Relation: this treatment is this clinical intervention This treatment is vaccination (NCIT:C15346). NCIT:C15346 is a clinical intervention from the NCI Thesaurus. Ontology label: Vaccination NCIT:C15346
Platform: Vaccine
Vaccination is the cornerstone of Japanese encephalitis prevention. The live-attenuated SA14-14-2 vaccine provides high, long-term single-dose effectiveness across endemic Asian immunization programs, while the alum-adjuvanted formaldehyde-inactivated SA14-14-2 Vero-cell vaccine (IXIARO) and chimeric IMOJEV vaccine protect travelers and non-endemic populations.
Mechanism Target:
INHIBITS Cutaneous Mosquito Inoculation, Peripheral Amplification, and Blood-Brain Barrier Breach — Vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies against JEV envelope (E) protein clear peripheral virus and prevent blood-brain barrier traversal.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:41755551 SUPPORT INDIRECT Human clinical
"In the absence of specific antiviral therapy, prevention remains the cornerstone of JE control, with vaccination representing the most effective public health intervention. Among available vaccines, the live-attenuated SA14-14-2 vaccine has played a central role in reducing the burden of JE in..."
Documents prevention of clinical JE disease by SA14-14-2, IXIARO, and IMOJEV vaccines.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:41755551 SUPPORT Human clinical
"In the absence of specific antiviral therapy, prevention remains the cornerstone of JE control, with vaccination representing the most effective public health intervention. Among available vaccines, the live-attenuated SA14-14-2 vaccine has played a central role in reducing the burden of JE in..."
Establishes the effectiveness and clinical roles of SA14-14-2, IXIARO, and IMOJEV vaccines.
Supportive Care
Action: supportive careNCI Thesaurus (NCIT) Relation: this treatment is this clinical intervention This treatment is supportive care (NCIT:C15747). NCIT:C15747 is a clinical intervention from the NCI Thesaurus. Ontology label: Supportive Care NCIT:C15747
No specific antiviral intervention is available for Japanese encephalitis; management is supportive, focusing on seizure control, intracranial pressure management, and airway protection.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:28187808 SUPPORT Human clinical
"Flavivirus infections (West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis) remain the most common other identified cause of encephalitis but no specific intervention is available."
Confirms the absence of specific antiviral intervention for Japanese encephalitis.
🔬

Diagnosis

1
JEV-Specific IgM MAC-ELISA and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test
Laboratory diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis virus infection by detection of JEV-specific IgM antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum using IgM antibody-capture ELISA (MAC-ELISA), confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT) to differentiate cross-reactive flavivirus antibodies.
diagnostic procedure NCIT:C18020 NCI Thesaurus (NCIT)
Show evidence (2 references)
PMID:26856911 SUPPORT Human clinical
"The JEV-specific IgM antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) is a sensitive method of laboratory diagnosis, as JEV IgM is produced soon after infection and is detectable in 90% of cases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by 4 days and in serum by 7–9 days after the onset of..."
Establishes JEV-specific IgM MAC-ELISA in CSF and serum as the primary sensitive laboratory diagnostic assay for Japanese encephalitis.
PMID:26856911 SUPPORT Human clinical
"At CDC, the PRNT is used to confirm MAC-ELISA results and also as a more specific test to differentiate flavivirus cross-reactivity in primary flavivirus infections."
Establishes plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT) as the confirmatory assay to distinguish JEV from cross-reactive flavivirus antibodies.
📈

Progression

2
Acute Encephalitic and Early Seizure Phase
Symptomatic neuroinvasive JEV infection presents as acute viral encephalitis complicated by early seizures in 50% to 80% of patients.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:35615063 SUPPORT Human clinical
"Given its broad geographic distribution, JEV is probably the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis. Early seizures are reported in 50–80% of cases; epilepsy is less common."
Documents the high frequency (50% to 80%) of early seizures during acute JEV encephalitis.
Post-Encephalitic Epileptic and Neurological Sequelae Phase
Survivors of the acute encephalitic phase may develop chronic post-infectious epilepsy or long-term neurological sequelae.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:35615063 SUPPORT Human clinical
"Given its broad geographic distribution, JEV is probably the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis. Early seizures are reported in 50–80% of cases; epilepsy is less common."
Distinguishes acute early seizures from less common chronic post-encephalitic epilepsy following JEV infection.
📊

Prevalence

1
Endemic regions of Asia and the Western Pacific
Annual incidence
Earlier WHO-supported global burden estimates suggest approximately 68,000 clinical cases and up to 20,400 deaths annually across endemic regions of Asia and the Western Pacific.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:41755551 SUPPORT Human clinical
"Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease and remains an important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia and parts of the Western Pacific. Earlier WHO-supported global burden estimates published around 2014 suggested approximately 68,000 clinical cases and up to 20,400 deaths annually"
Documents the WHO global burden estimate of approximately 68,000 clinical cases and up to 20,400 deaths per year.
🦠

Infectious Agent

1
Japanese encephalitis virus
Single-stranded, positive-sense RNA orthoflavivirus of the family Flaviviridae and the leading cause of arboviral encephalitis worldwide.
Japanese encephalitis virus NCBITaxon:11072 NCBI Taxonomy (NCBITaxon)
Show evidence (2 references)
PMID:41755551 SUPPORT Human clinical
"Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease and remains an important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia and parts of the Western Pacific."
Identifies Japanese encephalitis as a major mosquito-borne viral encephalitis in Asia and the Western Pacific.
PMID:35615063 SUPPORT Human clinical
"Given its broad geographic distribution, JEV is probably the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis. Early seizures are reported in 50–80% of cases; epilepsy is less common."
Identifies Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) as the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis globally.
↔️

Transmission

1
Culex mosquito vector transmission
JEV is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes, primarily Culex tritaeniorhynchus breeding in irrigated rice paddies.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:32887654 SUPPORT Other
"Japanese encephalitis (JE) was used to be a major mosquito-borne infectious disease all over China including Hainan in the past, and Culex is the major vector"
Identifies Culex mosquitoes as the major vector of Japanese encephalitis.
{ }

Source YAML

click to show 
name: Japanese Encephalitis
creation_date: '2026-10-25T20:20:00Z'
category: Infectious Disease
description: >-
  Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne neuroinvasive orthoflavivirus
  disease caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), transmitted primarily by
  Culex mosquitoes (especially Culex tritaeniorhynchus) in an enzootic cycle
  involving wading birds and domestic pigs across Asia and the Western Pacific.
  Although most human infections are asymptomatic, neuroinvasive disease
  (roughly 68,000 cases and up to 20,400 deaths annually) targets the thalamus,
  basal ganglia, brainstem, and cerebral cortex, causing acute encephalitis
  with a high incidence of early seizures (50% to 80% of cases) and permanent
  neurological sequelae.
disease_term:
  preferred_term: Japanese encephalitis
  term:
    id: MONDO:0019209
    label: Japanese encephalitis
parents:
- Arbovirus Infection
- Viral Encephalitis
synonyms:
- Japanese B encephalitis
- Japanese encephalitis virus infection
infectious_agent:
- name: Japanese encephalitis virus
  description: >-
    Single-stranded, positive-sense RNA orthoflavivirus of the family
    Flaviviridae and the leading cause of arboviral encephalitis worldwide.
  infectious_agent_term:
    preferred_term: Japanese encephalitis virus
    term:
      id: NCBITaxon:11072
      label: Japanese encephalitis virus
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:41755551
    reference_title: "Japanese Encephalitis: Understanding Its Impact, Prevention, and the Role of Vaccination."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease and remains an important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia and parts of the Western Pacific."
    explanation: Identifies Japanese encephalitis as a major mosquito-borne viral encephalitis in Asia and the Western Pacific.
  - reference: PMID:35615063
    reference_title: "Molecular Mechanisms in the Genesis of Seizures and Epilepsy Associated With Viral Infection."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Given its broad geographic distribution, JEV is probably the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis. Early seizures are reported in 50–80% of cases; epilepsy is less common."
    explanation: Identifies Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) as the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis globally.
agent_life_cycle:
  description: >-
    JEV circulates in an enzootic cycle between Culex mosquitoes, ardeid wading
    birds (reservoir hosts), and pigs (amplifying hosts), while humans are
    incidental dead-end hosts because human viremia is insufficient to infect
    feeding mosquitoes.
  hosts:
  - preferred_term: human
    term:
      id: NCBITaxon:9606
      label: Homo sapiens
    role: incidental dead-end host
  - preferred_term: mosquito
    term:
      id: NCBITaxon:7157
      label: Culicidae
    role: vector
  - preferred_term: pig
    term:
      id: NCBITaxon:9823
      label: Sus scrofa
    role: amplifying host
transmission:
- name: Culex mosquito vector transmission
  description: >-
    JEV is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes,
    primarily Culex tritaeniorhynchus breeding in irrigated rice paddies.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:32887654
    reference_title: "Spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of mosquito population density and community structure in Hainan Island, China."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: OTHER
    snippet: "Japanese encephalitis (JE) was used to be a major mosquito-borne infectious disease all over China including Hainan in the past, and Culex is the major vector"
    explanation: Identifies Culex mosquitoes as the major vector of Japanese encephalitis.
prevalence:
- population: Endemic regions of Asia and the Western Pacific
  measure_type: ANNUAL_INCIDENCE
  rate_denominator: POPULATION_PER_YEAR
  notes: >-
    Earlier WHO-supported global burden estimates suggest approximately 68,000
    clinical cases and up to 20,400 deaths annually across endemic regions of
    Asia and the Western Pacific.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:41755551
    reference_title: "Japanese Encephalitis: Understanding Its Impact, Prevention, and the Role of Vaccination."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease and remains an important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia and parts of the Western Pacific. Earlier WHO-supported global burden estimates published around 2014 suggested approximately 68,000 clinical cases and up to 20,400 deaths annually"
    explanation: Documents the WHO global burden estimate of approximately 68,000 clinical cases and up to 20,400 deaths per year.
progression:
- phase: Acute Encephalitic and Early Seizure Phase
  notes: >-
    Symptomatic neuroinvasive JEV infection presents as acute viral
    encephalitis complicated by early seizures in 50% to 80% of patients.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:35615063
    reference_title: "Molecular Mechanisms in the Genesis of Seizures and Epilepsy Associated With Viral Infection."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Given its broad geographic distribution, JEV is probably the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis. Early seizures are reported in 50–80% of cases; epilepsy is less common."
    explanation: Documents the high frequency (50% to 80%) of early seizures during acute JEV encephalitis.
- phase: Post-Encephalitic Epileptic and Neurological Sequelae Phase
  notes: >-
    Survivors of the acute encephalitic phase may develop chronic post-infectious
    epilepsy or long-term neurological sequelae.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:35615063
    reference_title: "Molecular Mechanisms in the Genesis of Seizures and Epilepsy Associated With Viral Infection."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Given its broad geographic distribution, JEV is probably the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis. Early seizures are reported in 50–80% of cases; epilepsy is less common."
    explanation: Distinguishes acute early seizures from less common chronic post-encephalitic epilepsy following JEV infection.
pathophysiology:
- name: Cutaneous Mosquito Inoculation, Peripheral Amplification, and Blood-Brain Barrier Breach
  description: >-
    Following inoculation by a Culex mosquito bite, JEV replicates in dermal
    dendritic cells and regional lymph nodes, generating a transient viremia
    that crosses the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system.
  role: trigger
  biological_scale: ORGANISM
  locations:
  - preferred_term: zone of skin
    term:
      id: UBERON:0000014
      label: zone of skin
  - preferred_term: blood brain barrier
    term:
      id: UBERON:0000120
      label: blood brain barrier
  cell_types:
  - preferred_term: dendritic cell
    term:
      id: CL:0000451
      label: dendritic cell
  biological_processes:
  - preferred_term: viral genome replication
    modifier: INCREASED
    term:
      id: GO:0019079
      label: viral genome replication
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:41755551
    reference_title: "Japanese Encephalitis: Understanding Its Impact, Prevention, and the Role of Vaccination."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease and remains an important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia and parts of the Western Pacific."
    explanation: Establishes mosquito-borne transmission leading to viral encephalitis.
  downstream:
  - target: Neuronal Infection, Microglial Neuroinflammation, and Epileptogenesis
    description: Neuroinvasion across the blood-brain barrier delivers JEV to neurons in the thalamus, basal ganglia, and cerebral cortex.
    causal_link_type: DIRECT
- name: Neuronal Infection, Microglial Neuroinflammation, and Epileptogenesis
  description: >-
    Within the central nervous system, JEV infects neurons and activates
    microglia, triggering neuronal death, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and
    network hyperexcitability that produce acute viral encephalitis and early
    seizures in 50% to 80% of clinical cases.
  role: central_effector
  biological_scale: TISSUE
  locations:
  - preferred_term: brain
    term:
      id: UBERON:0000955
      label: brain
  - preferred_term: dorsal plus ventral thalamus
    term:
      id: UBERON:0001897
      label: dorsal plus ventral thalamus
  cell_types:
  - preferred_term: neuron
    term:
      id: CL:0000540
      label: neuron
  - preferred_term: microglial cell
    term:
      id: CL:0000129
      label: microglial cell
  biological_processes:
  - preferred_term: inflammatory response
    modifier: INCREASED
    term:
      id: GO:0006954
      label: inflammatory response
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:35615063
    reference_title: "Molecular Mechanisms in the Genesis of Seizures and Epilepsy Associated With Viral Infection."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Given its broad geographic distribution, JEV is probably the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis. Early seizures are reported in 50–80% of cases; epilepsy is less common."
    explanation: Documents acute arboviral encephalitis and early seizures in 50% to 80% of JEV cases.
  downstream:
  - target: Infectious encephalitis
    description: Neuronal infection and neuroinflammation manifest clinically as acute Japanese encephalitis.
  - target: Seizure
    description: Cortical and thalamic neuronal injury and neuroinflammation provoke early seizures in 50% to 80% of patients.
phenotypes:
- name: Infectious encephalitis
  category: Neurological
  frequency: VERY_FREQUENT
  description: Acute viral encephalitis is the defining clinical presentation of symptomatic neuroinvasive JEV infection.
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Infectious encephalitis
    term:
      id: HP:0002383
      label: Infectious encephalitis
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:41755551
    reference_title: "Japanese Encephalitis: Understanding Its Impact, Prevention, and the Role of Vaccination."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease and remains an important cause of viral encephalitis in Asia and parts of the Western Pacific."
    explanation: Establishes viral encephalitis as the hallmark clinical syndrome of JE.
- name: Seizure
  category: Neurological
  frequency: VERY_FREQUENT
  description: Early acute symptomatic seizures occur in 50% to 80% of patients with Japanese encephalitis.
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Seizure
    term:
      id: HP:0001250
      label: Seizure
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:35615063
    reference_title: "Molecular Mechanisms in the Genesis of Seizures and Epilepsy Associated With Viral Infection."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Given its broad geographic distribution, JEV is probably the most common cause of arbovirus encephalitis. Early seizures are reported in 50–80% of cases; epilepsy is less common."
    explanation: Reports early seizures in 50% to 80% of clinical JEV encephalitis cases.
diagnosis:
- name: JEV-Specific IgM MAC-ELISA and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test
  description: >-
    Laboratory diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis virus infection by detection of
    JEV-specific IgM antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum using IgM
    antibody-capture ELISA (MAC-ELISA), confirmed by plaque reduction
    neutralization testing (PRNT) to differentiate cross-reactive flavivirus
    antibodies.
  diagnosis_term:
    preferred_term: diagnostic procedure
    term:
      id: NCIT:C18020
      label: Diagnostic Procedure
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:26856911
    reference_title: "Differential Diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infections with the Inbios JE Detect™ and DEN Detect™ MAC-ELISA Kits."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "The JEV-specific IgM antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) is a sensitive method of laboratory diagnosis, as JEV IgM is produced soon after infection and is detectable in 90% of cases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by 4 days and in serum by 7–9 days after the onset of clinical illness."
    explanation: Establishes JEV-specific IgM MAC-ELISA in CSF and serum as the primary sensitive laboratory diagnostic assay for Japanese encephalitis.
  - reference: PMID:26856911
    reference_title: "Differential Diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infections with the Inbios JE Detect™ and DEN Detect™ MAC-ELISA Kits."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "At CDC, the PRNT is used to confirm MAC-ELISA results and also as a more specific test to differentiate flavivirus cross-reactivity in primary flavivirus infections."
    explanation: Establishes plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT) as the confirmatory assay to distinguish JEV from cross-reactive flavivirus antibodies.
treatments:
- name: Japanese Encephalitis SA 14-14-2 Vaccination (Live-Attenuated SA14-14-2, Inactivated IXIARO, and Chimeric IMOJEV)
  description: >-
    Vaccination is the cornerstone of Japanese encephalitis prevention. The
    live-attenuated SA14-14-2 vaccine provides high, long-term single-dose
    effectiveness across endemic Asian immunization programs, while the alum-adjuvanted
    formaldehyde-inactivated SA14-14-2 Vero-cell vaccine (IXIARO) and chimeric
    IMOJEV vaccine protect travelers and non-endemic populations.
  therapeutic_modality: VACCINE
  treatment_term:
    preferred_term: vaccination
    term:
      id: NCIT:C15346
      label: Vaccination
  target_mechanisms:
  - target: Cutaneous Mosquito Inoculation, Peripheral Amplification, and Blood-Brain Barrier Breach
    treatment_effect: INHIBITS
    description: >-
      Vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies against JEV envelope (E) protein
      clear peripheral virus and prevent blood-brain barrier traversal.
    evidence:
    - reference: PMID:41755551
      reference_title: "Japanese Encephalitis: Understanding Its Impact, Prevention, and the Role of Vaccination."
      supports: SUPPORT
      evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
      directness: INDIRECT
      snippet: "In the absence of specific antiviral therapy, prevention remains the cornerstone of JE control, with vaccination representing the most effective public health intervention. Among available vaccines, the live-attenuated SA14-14-2 vaccine has played a central role in reducing the burden of JE in endemic countries. Its high effectiveness, long-term protection following a single dose, favourable safety profile, WHO prequalification, and incorporation into national immunisation programs have made it the backbone of JE prevention in Asia. Inactivated vaccines, such as IXIARO, and chimaeric vaccines, such as IMOJEV, provide important complementary options, particularly for travellers and non-endemic populations."
      explanation: Documents prevention of clinical JE disease by SA14-14-2, IXIARO, and IMOJEV vaccines.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:41755551
    reference_title: "Japanese Encephalitis: Understanding Its Impact, Prevention, and the Role of Vaccination."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "In the absence of specific antiviral therapy, prevention remains the cornerstone of JE control, with vaccination representing the most effective public health intervention. Among available vaccines, the live-attenuated SA14-14-2 vaccine has played a central role in reducing the burden of JE in endemic countries. Its high effectiveness, long-term protection following a single dose, favourable safety profile, WHO prequalification, and incorporation into national immunisation programs have made it the backbone of JE prevention in Asia. Inactivated vaccines, such as IXIARO, and chimaeric vaccines, such as IMOJEV, provide important complementary options, particularly for travellers and non-endemic populations."
    explanation: Establishes the effectiveness and clinical roles of SA14-14-2, IXIARO, and IMOJEV vaccines.
- name: Supportive Care
  description: >-
    No specific antiviral intervention is available for Japanese encephalitis;
    management is supportive, focusing on seizure control, intracranial pressure
    management, and airway protection.
  treatment_term:
    preferred_term: supportive care
    term:
      id: NCIT:C15747
      label: Supportive Care
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:28187808
    reference_title: "Diagnosis and management of acute encephalitis."
    supports: SUPPORT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Flavivirus infections (West Nile, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis) remain the most common other identified cause of encephalitis but no specific intervention is available."
    explanation: Confirms the absence of specific antiviral intervention for Japanese encephalitis.
references:
- reference: PMID:26856911
  title: "Differential Diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infections with the Inbios JE Detect™ and DEN Detect™ MAC-ELISA Kits."
  findings: []
- reference: PMID:41755551
  title: "Japanese Encephalitis: Understanding Its Impact, Prevention, and the Role of Vaccination."
  findings: []
- reference: PMID:32887654
  title: "Spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of mosquito population density and community structure in Hainan Island, China."
  findings: []
- reference: PMID:35615063
  title: "Molecular Mechanisms in the Genesis of Seizures and Epilepsy Associated With Viral Infection."
  findings: []
- reference: PMID:28187808
  title: "Diagnosis and management of acute encephalitis."
  findings: []
📚

References & Deep Research

References

5
PMID:26856911
Differential Diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infections with the Inbios JE Detect™ and DEN Detect™ MAC-ELISA Kits.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
PMID:41755551
Japanese Encephalitis: Understanding Its Impact, Prevention, and the Role of Vaccination.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
PMID:32887654
Spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of mosquito population density and community structure in Hainan Island, China.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
PMID:35615063
Molecular Mechanisms in the Genesis of Seizures and Epilepsy Associated With Viral Infection.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
PMID:28187808
Diagnosis and management of acute encephalitis.
No top-level findings curated for this source.