slow virus

one of several VIRUSES that show their effects some time after INFECTION , by which time considerable damage of NERVE tissue has occurred, resulting ultimately in death. Such a virus was found to cause scrapie in sheep and recently BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY in cows. In humans, a slow virus is thought to be the cause of CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE and a type of MENINGITIS .