Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
07:23
Detection of Infectious Virus from Field-collected Mosquitoes by Vero Cell Culture Assay
Published on: June 9, 2011
[Infections caused by West Nile virus]
Teresa Hermanowska-Szpakowicz1, Sambor Grygorczuk, Maciej Kondrusik
1Klinika Chorób Zakaźnych i Neuroinfekcji Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku. neuroin@amb.edu.pl
Przeglad Epidemiologiczny
|June 9, 2006
Summary
West Nile virus (WNV) is spreading globally and may now be in Poland. Researchers detected WNV IgM antibodies in a patient, suggesting the first confirmed Polish WNV case.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Arthropod-borne viruses
Context:
- West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus with increasing global prevalence.
- It circulates among wild birds and is transmitted by arthropods, primarily mosquitoes like Culex spp.
- WNV infection poses risks, particularly severe neurological complications and high mortality in elderly individuals.
Purpose:
- To report the potential first confirmed case of West Nile virus infection in Poland.
- To highlight the presence and spread of WNV in a moderate climate zone.
Summary:
- Detection of anti-WNV IgM antibodies in a patient with acute febrile illness.
- This finding suggests WNV transmission within Poland.
- WNV can cause a spectrum of illness, from mild symptoms to severe encephalitis.
Impact:
- Establishes the potential presence of WNV in Poland, a new enzootic focus.
- Underscores the need for increased WNV surveillance in Europe.
- Informs public health strategies for WNV prevention and control.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:28Rabies
Rabies is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Its primary mode of transmission to humans is through bites or saliva-contaminated scratches from infected mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, or foxes. Transmission can also occur if infectious saliva contacts abraded skin or intact mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva.Viral Entry and Early ReplicationOnce introduced at the bite or scratch...
01:18Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted primarily by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America. After transmission through a mosquito bite, the virus initially replicates in skin-resident immune cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. These cells then migrate to the lymph nodes, where viral replication increases, eventually leading to...