West Nile virus population genetics and evolution.
West Nile virus (WNV) (Flaviviridae: Flavivirus) is transmitted from mosquitoes to birds, but can cause fatal encephalitis in infected humans. Since its introduction into North America in New York in 1999, it has spread throughout the western hemisphere. Multiple outbreaks have also occurred in Europe over the last 20 years. This review highlights recent efforts to understand how host pressures impact viral population genetics, genotypic and phenotypic changes which have occurred in the WNV genome as it adapts to this novel environment, and molecular epidemiology of WNV worldwide. Future research directions are also discussed.
Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Kendra N
KN
Pesko
Gregory D
GD
Ebel
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D056084:Genetic Fitness; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D011157:Population Dynamics; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*