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In Vivo Imaging Systems (IVIS) Detection of a Neuro-Invasive Encephalitic Virus
Published on: December 2, 2012
West nile virus neuroinvasive disease
1Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Children's National Medical Center/Children's Research Institute, George Washington University School of Medicine, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA, rdebiasi@cnmc.org.
Current Infectious Disease Reports
|May 6, 2011
Summary
West Nile virus (WNV) causes widespread neuroinvasive disease in North America. This review details WNV epidemiology, clinical features, and pathogenesis, highlighting the need for targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- * Epidemiology and Public Health
- * Neurovirology
- * Infectious Diseases
Background:
- * West Nile virus (WNV) emerged in North America in 1999, causing a major arboviral encephalitis epidemic.
- * WNV remains the leading cause of epidemic meningoencephalitis in North America.
- * West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease (WNND) affects less than 1% of infected individuals, presenting as meningitis, encephalitis, or poliomyelitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To review the epidemiology of WNV in North America over the past decade.
- * To summarize the clinical characteristics of WNND, including diagnostic findings and outcomes.
- * To explore advances in understanding WNV pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- * Comprehensive literature review of WNV epidemiology and clinical presentations.
- * Analysis of reported WNND cases in the United States (1999-2009).
- * Synthesis of current research on WNV pathogenesis and treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- * Over 12,000 WNND cases reported in the US between 1999 and 2009, with peaks in 2002 and 2003.
- * Detailed discussion of WNND clinical features, laboratory/radiographic findings, risk factors, morbidity, and mortality.
- * Overview of recent progress in understanding virus-host interactions in WNND pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- * WNV continues to pose a significant public health threat in North America.
- * Understanding WNV epidemiology and clinical manifestations is crucial for effective management.
- * Further research into WNV pathogenesis may lead to the development of specific therapies.
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