title: Epidemiological and clinical aspects on West Nile virus, a globally emerging pathogen.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since the isolation of West Nile virus (WNV) in 1937, in Uganda, it has spread globally, causing significant morbidity and mortality. While birds serve as amplifier hosts, mosquitoes of the Culex genus function as vectors. Humans and horses are dead end hosts. The clinical manifestations of West Nile infection in humans range from asymptomatic illness to West Nile encephalitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The laboratory offers an array of tests, the preferred method being detection of RNA and serum IgM for WNV, which, if detected, confirms the clinical diagnosis. Although no definitive antiviral therapy and vaccine are available for humans, many approaches are being studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article will review the current literature of the natural cycle, geographical distribution, virology, replication cycle, molecular epidemiology, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, clinical manifestations, blood donor screening for WNV, treatment, prevention and vaccines.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Virology , Christian Medical College , Vellore , Tamil Nadu , India.
authors.forename: Shoba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: David
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Virology , Christian Medical College , Vellore , Tamil Nadu , India.
authors.forename: Asha Mary
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Abraham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D003465:Culex; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity
keywords: West Nile virus review