Models of West Nile virus disease

The rapid spread of West Nile virus (WNV) in North America, the constant changing in epidemiology, virulence and the unexpected findings of the potential for blood transfusion and transplant-associated transmission has highlighted the gaps in our knowledge concerning the pathogenesis and different modes of transmission of this virus. Experimental models including in vivo, in vitro and in silico were employed to study this virus infection and develop novel antiviral strategies.

Section editors:Enitan Carrol – Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research, Blantyre and Liverpool, Malawi and UKAndrew Riordan – Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK