West Nile virus is a neurotropic flavivirus that has emerged globally as a primary cause of viral encephalitis. Infection of humans and other vertebrate animals is associated with a febrile illness that can progress to a lethal encephalitis or flaccid paralysis syndrome. Its appearance in the Western Hemisphere in 1999 and the corresponding increase in global disease burden over the last decade have been accompanied by intensive study, including the entry of many scientists into the field. Breakthroughs have been made in understanding the unique transmission pattern between the vector and the multiple avian and mammalian hosts and targets. Studies in mammalian systems have dissected the viral and host factors that determine the pathogenesis and outcome of West Nile virus infection. On the basis of these experiments, progress has been made on the identification of genetic factors that predispose to severe human disease. Thus, in a remarkably short period of time, insight has been gained on a wide variety of disciplines related to West Nile virus biology. The aim of this book was to assemble an up-to-date and cutti- edge anthology from the leading experts in the field. The chapters are balanced by submissions from newcomers who have made significant recent contributions with those from established investigators who have dedicated their careers to the study of West Nile virus.
In West Nile Encephalitis Virus Infection, leading scientists and researchers discuss the West Nile virus, a neurotropic flavivirus that has emerged globally as a primary cause of viral encephalitis. Its appearance in the Western Hemisphere in 1999, and the corresponding increase in global disease burden over the last decade has been accompanied by intensive study, including the entry of many scientists into the field. Breakthroughs have been made in understanding the unique transmission pattern between the vector and the multiple avian and mammalian hosts and targets. While the topics in this book are focused on the West Nile virus, they are broad in scope ranging from understanding vector transmission patterns to the dynamics of structural transitions of proteins on the surface of the virion. The editor and contributors of West Nile Encephalitis Virus Infection offer their expertise in this up-to-date and cutting-edge anthology, which will be of broad use to readers from a variety of backgrounds including clinical infectious disease, epidemiology, virology, immunology, and vector biology.
