Which infection is included under hypertonicity?

• A. Tuberculosis (TB)
• B. Influenza
• C. Hepatitis B
• D. Meningitis

Answer: (A)

Hypertonicity comes from disruptions in the brain and spinal pathways that normally regulate muscle tone. Infections that reach the central nervous system can trigger these changes by causing inflammation and damage to motor circuits. Tuberculosis can involve the meninges (tuberculous meningitis), and the resulting inflammation, vasculitis, and possible brain injuries can disrupt upper motor neuron pathways. This leads to increased resistance to passive movement and a spastic feel in affected muscles.

The other infections listed are less likely to cause persistent hypertonicity. Flu or hepatitis B are typically systemic illnesses without the CNS damage pattern that produces spastic hypertonia, whereas meningitis is a CNS infection that can cause hypertonicity, but among the options, tuberculosis is the infection associated with CNS involvement that can lead to this motor change.