Several infections can cause demyelination, a process where the myelin sheath, which insulates nerve fibers, is damaged, disrupting nerve signal transmission. Here are some examples:
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Viral Infections:
- Theiler's virus: This picornavirus, originally found in paralyzed mice, can cause demyelination.
- JHM virus: A murine coronavirus also isolated from paralyzed mice and known to induce demyelination.
- Canine distemper virus: This morbillivirus, closely related to the measles virus, causes demyelination in "old dog disease," a subacute encephalitis.
- Visna virus: A retrovirus causing a slowly progressive demyelinating disease.
It's important to note that the specific mechanisms and the extent of demyelination can vary depending on the virus, the host's immune response, and other factors.
