Slow Virus Diseases
| Definition: |
Diseases of viral origin, characterized by incubation periods of months to years, insidious onset of clinical manifestations, and protracted clinical course. Though the disease process is protracted, viral multiplication may not be unusually slow. Conventional viruses produce slow virus diseases such as SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY, PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL), and AIDS. Diseases produced by unconventional agents were originally considered part of this group. They are now called PRION DISEASES. |
| Notes: |
caused by viruses incubating months to years; some dis formerly called slow virus dis are now considered prion dis: see note there; GEN or unspecified: prefer specifics |
| Previously Indexed: |
Virus Diseases (1966-1967) |
Slow Virus Diseases Definitions and Terms
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