Which infection is listed under hypertonicity?

Which infection is listed under hypertonicity?

• A. Tuberculosis (TB)
• B. Mumps
• C. Rhinovirus
• D. Herpes simplex

Answer: (A)

Hypertonicity reflects upper motor neuron involvement. When infections affect the central nervous system, they can alter motor tone depending on where the damage occurs. Tuberculous meningitis often involves the brain’s base and surrounding pathways, which can lead to chronic changes in the corticospinal tracts. This damage can result in increased muscle tone and spasticity during recovery, so tuberculosis is listed under hypertonicity. The other infections—mumps, rhinovirus, and herpes simplex—can cause meningitis or encephalitis, but they don’t classically produce the persistent hypertonia pattern seen with tuberculous CNS involvement.

Hypertonicity reflects upper motor neuron involvement. When infections affect the central nervous system, they can alter motor tone depending on where the damage occurs. Tuberculous meningitis often involves the brain’s base and surrounding pathways, which can lead to chronic changes in the corticospinal tracts. This damage can result in increased muscle tone and spasticity during recovery, so tuberculosis is listed under hypertonicity. The other infections—mumps, rhinovirus, and herpes simplex—can cause meningitis or encephalitis, but they don’t classically produce the persistent hypertonia pattern seen with tuberculous CNS involvement.