Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Detection of Infectious Virus from Field-collected Mosquitoes by Vero Cell Culture Assay
Published on: June 9, 2011
Detection Protocols for West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes, Birds, and Nonhuman Mammals
Elizabeth B Kauffman1, Mary A Franke2, Laura D Kramer2,3
1Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 5668 State Farm Road, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA. elizabeth.kauffman@health.ny.gov.
Abstract:
West Nile virus is the most widespread mosquito-borne virus in the world, and the most common cause of encephalitis in the USA. Surveillance for this medially important mosquito-borne pathogen is an important part of public health practice. Here we present protocols for testing environmental samples such as mosquitoes, nonvertebrate mammals, and birds for this virus, including RT-PCR, virus isolation in cell culture, and antigenic assays, as well as serologic assays for antibody detection.

