title: Persistence of West Nile virus.
abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) is a widespread global pathogen that results in significant morbidity and mortality. Data from animal models provide evidence of persistent renal and neurological infection from WNV; however, the possibility of persistent infection in humans and long-term neurological and renal outcomes related to viral persistence remain largely unknown. In this paper, we provide a review of the literature related to persistent infection in parallel with the findings from cohorts of patients with a history of WNV infection. The next steps for enhancing our understanding of WNV as a persistent pathogen are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: mnolan@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Melissa N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hasbun
authors.affiliation: Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Kristy O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity
keywords: Morbidity; Mortality; Neurologic outcomes; Persistence; Renal outcomes; West Nile virus