The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a leading cause of encephalitis, exists as quasispecies in clinical isolates. Using a limiting dilution method combined with immunohistochemistry to detect viral antigens, 10 biological clones were isolated and purified from a clinical JEV isolate (CNS138/9) derived from an autopsy brain. These biological clones were tested for neurovirulence in SK-N-MC and NIE-115 neuronal cells, and a 2-week-old, footpad-infected, JE mouse model. Nine clones were found to be neurovirulent; one clone neuroattenuated. Although further studies are needed to determine genotypic differences, if any, in these clones, the limiting dilution purification and neurovirulence testing methods described herein should be useful for phenotypic studies of quasispecies of neurotropic viruses in general, and JEV and other flaviviruses in particular.

Wound care has become increasingly important over the years. Various synthetic products for wound care treatment have been reported to cause toxic side effects and therefore natural products are in significant demand as they have minimal side effects. The presence of bioactive compounds in medicinal mushrooms contributes to various biological activities which assist in the early inflammatory phase, keratinocyte proliferation, and its migration enhancement which are pertinent to wound rehabilitation. Lignosus rhinocerus (tiger milk mushroom) can reduce the inflammation phase in wound healing by fighting off bacterial infection and modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines expression in the early stage to avoid prolonged inflammation and tissue damage. The antibacterial, immunomodulating, and antiinflammatory activities exhibited by most macrofungi play a key role in enhancing wound healing. Several antibacterial and antifungal compounds sourced from traditional botanicals/-products may prevent further complications and reoccurrence of injury to a wounded site.Scientific studies are actively underway to ascertain the potential use of macrofungi as a wound healing agent.