Regarding Nipah virus encephalitis, which of the following is CORRECT about its transmission and diagnosis?
- A Transmitted by Aedes mosquito bite; diagnosed by serum IgM ELISA
- B Airborne transmission from fruit bats directly; diagnosis requires bat serology
- C Transmitted via contact with infected pigs or humans; CSF RT-PCR and serum IgM/IgG ELISA are diagnostic ✓
- D Transmitted by Culex mosquito; detected by Weil-Felix reaction
Correct answer: C. Transmitted via contact with infected pigs or humans; CSF RT-PCR and serum IgM/IgG ELISA are diagnostic
Explanation
Nipah virus (Paramyxoviridae, Henipavirus genus) is a zoonotic virus with fruit bats (Pteropus species) as the reservoir. Human infection occurs via contact with infected pigs (Malaysia 1998), consumption of raw date palm sap contaminated by bat excreta (Bangladesh/India), or direct human-to-human transmission (reported in Kerala outbreaks). Diagnosis is by RT-PCR of CSF, throat swab, or urine during acute infection, and by IgM/IgG ELISA during convalescence. It is NOT mosquito-borne. The Weil-Felix reaction is for rickettsial infections.
Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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