Induction of virus-specific neutralizing immune response against West Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses by chimeric peptides representing T-helper and B-cell epitopes

► We predicted B-cell epitopes on WNV and JEV through computational approach. ► Identified two virus-specific epitopes from WNV and JEV with diagnostic potential. ► Synthetic peptides have been used for differential diagnosis of JEV and WNV. ► Chimeric peptides of these epitopes induced virus-specific neutralizing Abs in mice. ► The study suggested its utility in designing peptide based vaccine for JEV and WNV.