An Intracerebrally‐Infected Mouse Model of Enterovirus A71 Demonstrates Restricted Inter‐Neuronal Spread Within the Brain Parenchyma Despite Strong SCARB2 Expression

The findings suggest a circuitous dissemination route: viral leakage from the CNS leads to viraemia and peripheral muscle infection, followed by retrograde axonal transport back into the brainstem and spinal cord. This pathway appears to be the dominant mode of CNS invasion, independent of mSCARB2 distribution. Alternative receptor pathways likely play a critical role in EV-A71 neuropathogenesis.