West Nile virus: the complex biology of an emerging pathogen.
Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic virus that circulates in birds and is transmitted by mosquitoes. Incidentally, humans, horses and other mammals can also be infected. Disease symptoms caused by WNV range from fever to neurological complications, such as encephalitis or meningitis. Mortality is observed mostly in older and immunocompromised individuals. In recent years, epidemics caused by WNV in humans and horses have become more frequent in several Southern European countries, such as Italy and Greece. In 1999, WNV was introduced into the USA and spread over North America within a couple of years. The increasing number of WNV outbreaks is associated with the emergence of novel viral strains, which display higher virulence and greater epidemic potential for humans. Upon infection with WNV, the mammalian immune system counteracts the virus at several different levels. On the other side, WNV has developed elaborated escape mechanisms to avoid its elimination. This review summarizes recent findings in WNV research that help to understand the complex biology associated with this emerging pathogen.
Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Publication Date: 2011-05-16 PubMed ID: 21576931DOI: 10.1159/000328320Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research article examines the complex biology of West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-transmitted virus that mainly affects birds but can incidentally infect humans and other mammals. The paper details the increasing prevalence of WNV and its effects on the human immune system, as well as the virus’s own mechanisms to evade elimination.
Overview of West Nile Virus
- The paper begins by discussing West Nile virus (WNV), a zoonotic disease that primarily circulates in birds and transmits to other living beings through mosquitoes. However, the virus can also infect humans, horses, and other mammals.
- The range of disease symptoms varies, with fever being a common manifestation. In severe cases, subjects can suffer from neurological complications such as encephalitis or meningitis. Mortality occurs most often in older individuals or those with compromised immune systems.
Increasing Frequency of West Nile Virus
- The research notes that in recent years, there has been an increase in the number and scope of WNV outbreaks, particularly in several Southern European countries like Italy and Greece.
- Furthermore, WNV was introduced into the United States in 1999 and managed to spread across the entire continent within just a few years. This signals the rapid and expansive capabilities of the virus.
- The increased frequency of WNV is also associated with emerging new strains of the virus. These novel strains are characterized by higher virulence, which means they have enhanced potential to cause disease, and greater epidemic potential in humans.
The Interaction Between WNV and the Mammalian Immune System
- The paper goes on to elucidate the dynamic interaction between the WNV and the mammalian immune system. On infection, the host’s immune system counteracts the virus at multiple levels, attempting to eliminate it and protect the host from disease.
- However, in response, WNV has evolved intricate escape mechanisms to avoid detection and elimination by the immune system. This forms part of the complex biology of WNV that poses a challenge to disease control.
- The researchers believe that understanding these mechanisms can help in devising strategies to fight WNV effectively.
Concluding Thoughts
- The paper concludes by summarizing recent findings in WNV research that significantly contribute to the understanding of the virus’ complex biology.
- The goal is to use this knowledge to better manage and ultimately control the spread of this emerging pathogen, reducing its impact on global health.
Cite This Article
APA
Ulbert S.
(2011).
West Nile virus: the complex biology of an emerging pathogen.
Intervirology, 54(4), 171-184.
https://doi.org/10.1159/000328320 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Vaccine Technologies Unit, Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany. Sebastian.ulbert @ izi.fraunhofer.de
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Birds
- Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
- Communicable Diseases, Emerging / mortality
- Communicable Diseases, Emerging / pathology
- Communicable Diseases, Emerging / veterinary
- Disease Outbreaks
- Europe / epidemiology
- Genotype
- Horses
- Humans
- Immune Evasion
- Incidence
- North America / epidemiology
- Virulence
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / mortality
- West Nile Fever / pathology
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile virus / immunology
- West Nile virus / pathogenicity
Citations
This article has been cited 21 times.- Khare B, Kuhn RJ. The Japanese Encephalitis Antigenic Complex Viruses: From Structure to Immunity. Viruses 2022 Oct 8;14(10).
- Zahmanova G, Takova K, Valkova R, Toneva V, Minkov I, Andonov A, Lukov GL. Plant-Derived Recombinant Vaccines against Zoonotic Viruses. Life (Basel) 2022 Jan 21;12(2).
- Zana B, Erdélyi K, Nagy A, Mezei E, Nagy O, Takács M, Bakonyi T, Forgách P, Korbacska-Kutasi O, Fehér O, Malik P, Ursu K, Kertész P, Kepner A, Martina M, Süli T, Lanszki Z, Tóth GE, Kuczmog A, Somogyi B, Jakab F, Kemenesi G. Multi-Approach Investigation Regarding the West Nile Virus Situation in Hungary, 2018. Viruses 2020 Jan 20;12(1).
- Vonesch N, Binazzi A, Bonafede M, Melis P, Ruggieri A, Iavicoli S, Tomao P. Emerging zoonotic viral infections of occupational health importance. Pathog Dis 2019 Mar 1;77(2).
- Kiely P, Gambhir M, Cheng AC, McQuilten ZK, Seed CR, Wood EM. Emerging Infectious Diseases and Blood Safety: Modeling the Transfusion-Transmission Risk. Transfus Med Rev 2017 Jul;31(3):154-164.
- Deldar R, Thomas D, Storniolo AM. West Nile Virus Encephalitis in a Patient with Neuroendocrine Carcinoma. Case Rep Oncol Med 2016;2016:9497075.
- Brower JL. The Threat and Response to Infectious Diseases (Revised). Microb Ecol 2018 Jul;76(1):19-36.
- Jiménez D, Romero-Zuñiga JJ, Dolz G. Serosurveillance of infectious agents in equines of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Open Vet J 2014;4(2):107-12.
- Fortuna C, Remoli ME, Di Luca M, Severini F, Toma L, Benedetti E, Bucci P, Montarsi F, Minelli G, Boccolini D, Romi R, Ciufolini MG. Experimental studies on comparison of the vector competence of four Italian Culex pipiens populations for West Nile virus. Parasit Vectors 2015 Sep 17;8:463.
- Guo LP, Huo H, Wang XL, Bu ZG, Hua RH. Generation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody against prM protein of West Nile virus. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2014 Dec;33(6):438-43.
- Pradier S, Sandoz A, Paul MC, Lefebvre G, Tran A, Maingault J, Lecollinet S, Leblond A. Importance of wetlands management for West Nile Virus circulation risk, Camargue, Southern France. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2014 Aug 4;11(8):7740-54.
- Pellett PE, Mitra S, Holland TC. Basics of virology. Handb Clin Neurol 2014;123:45-66.
- Ryu H, Grond K, Verheijen B, Elk M, Buehler DM, Santo Domingo JW. Intestinal microbiota and species diversity of Campylobacter and Helicobacter spp. in migrating shorebirds in Delaware Bay. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014 Mar;80(6):1838-47.
- Donadieu E, Bahuon C, Lowenski S, Zientara S, Coulpier M, Lecollinet S. Differential virulence and pathogenesis of West Nile viruses. Viruses 2013 Nov 22;5(11):2856-80.
- Barzon L, Pacenti M, Franchin E, Pagni S, Lavezzo E, Squarzon L, Martello T, Russo F, Nicoletti L, Rezza G, Castilletti C, Capobianchi MR, Salcuni P, Cattai M, Cusinato R, Palù G. Large human outbreak of West Nile virus infection in north-eastern Italy in 2012. Viruses 2013 Nov 22;5(11):2825-39.
- Beck C, Jimenez-Clavero MA, Leblond A, Durand B, Nowotny N, Leparc-Goffart I, Zientara S, Jourdain E, Lecollinet S. Flaviviruses in Europe: complex circulation patterns and their consequences for the diagnosis and control of West Nile disease. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013 Nov 12;10(11):6049-83.
- Barzon L, Papa A, Pacenti M, Franchin E, Lavezzo E, Squarzon L, Masi G, Martello T, Testa T, Cusinato R, Palù G. Genome sequencing of West Nile Virus from human cases in Greece, 2012. Viruses 2013 Sep 24;5(9):2311-9.
- Ajayi T, Bhatia A, Lambl B, Altamimi S. Altered mental status and fever. BMJ Case Rep 2013 Jun 24;2013.
- Diosa-Toro M, Urcuqui-Inchima S, Smit JM. Arthropod-borne flaviviruses and RNA interference: seeking new approaches for antiviral therapy. Adv Virus Res 2013;85:91-111.
- De Filette M, Ulbert S, Diamond M, Sanders NN. Recent progress in West Nile virus diagnosis and vaccination. Vet Res 2012 Mar 1;43(1):16.
- Fuller T, Bensch S, Müller I, Novembre J, Pérez-Tris J, Ricklefs RE, Smith TB, Waldenström J. The ecology of emerging infectious diseases in migratory birds: an assessment of the role of climate change and priorities for future research. Ecohealth 2012 Mar;9(1):80-8.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
