A genetic basis for human susceptibility to West Nile virus.
West Nile virus (WNV) infects thousands of humans annually and causes a spectrum of disease ranging from an acute febrile illness to lethal encephalitis. A new study suggests a link between CCR5Delta32 (a common mutant allele of the chemokine and HIV receptor CCR5) and fatal WNV infection. The study highlights a possible risk in targeting this receptor for the prevention and/or treatment of infectious diseases.
Diamond
Michael S
MS
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8051, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. diamond@borcim.wustl.edu
Klein
Robyn S
RS
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000276:immunology; D019743:Chemokines, CXC / Q000276:immunology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000472:pathogenicity
C503460:Ccl5 protein, mouse; D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; C485433:Cxcl10 protein, mouse; D019713:Receptors, CCR5