West Nile Fever

A mosquito-borne viral illness caused by the WEST NILE VIRUS, a FLAVIVIRUS and endemic to regions of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Common clinical features include HEADACHE; FEVER; maculopapular rash; gastrointestinal symptoms; and lymphadenopathy. MENINGITIS; ENCEPHALITIS; and MYELITIS may also occur. The disease may occasionally be fatal or leave survivors with residual neurologic deficits. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1996, Ch26, p13; Lancet 1998 Sep 5;352(9130):767-71)

Also Known As:

Networked: 687 relevant articles (46 outcomes, 88 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Infections
2.	Encephalitis (Encephalitis, Rasmussen)
3.	Virus Diseases (Viral Diseases)
4.	Japanese Encephalitis
5.	Inflammation (Inflammations)

Experts

1.	Diamond, Michael S: 76 articles (10/2021 - 12/2003)
2.	Gale, Michael: 28 articles (01/2021 - 07/2004)
3.	Fikrig, Erol: 19 articles (01/2019 - 01/2002)
4.	Suthar, Mehul S: 13 articles (12/2019 - 09/2008)
5.	Samuel, Melanie A: 13 articles (09/2009 - 03/2005)
6.	Wang, Tian: 12 articles (11/2019 - 01/2002)
7.	Busch, Michael P: 12 articles (01/2016 - 08/2005)
8.	Shrestha, Bimmi: 12 articles (10/2014 - 12/2003)
9.	Nerurkar, Vivek R: 11 articles (01/2019 - 05/2008)
10.	Stramer, Susan L: 10 articles (01/2020 - 09/2005)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to West Nile Fever:

1.	VaccinesIBA 01/01/2017 - "Outbreaks of WNV infection tend to be unpredictable, and a safe and effective vaccine will be an important public health tool." 02/01/2013 - "Our studies suggest that the H(2)O(2)-inactivated WNV-KUNV vaccine is safe and immunogenic and may be suitable for protection against WNV infection in vulnerable populations." 01/01/2019 - "These results demonstrate the protective efficacy of the RSP-based vaccine in susceptible birds against WNV infection and its value in controlling the spread of the virus." 04/26/2011 - "Since methods for the treatment of WNV infections are not available, there is a need for the development of safe and effective vaccines. " 08/17/2015 - "In the absence of vaccines approved for birds, equine vaccines have been used in falcons, but full protection against WNV infection was not achieved. "
2.	Proteins (Proteins, Gene)FDA Link 12/01/2009 - " results of this study indicate that IM vaccination of chickens with E protein is protective against WNV infection and results in a significantly different antibody production profile as compared to both orally vaccinated and nonvaccinated birds." 06/01/2019 - "Studying the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between WNV and human is beneficial for understanding the pathogenesis of WNV and the immune response mechanism of human against WNV infection at the molecular level. " 03/01/2007 - "Immunization of flavivirus West Nile recombinant envelope domain III protein induced specific immune response and protection against West Nile virus infection." 01/01/2019 - "To gain insight into host pathways involved in WNV infection, we performed a systematic affinity-tag purification mass spectrometry (APMS) study to identify 259 WNV-interacting human proteins. " 01/01/2019 - "In this study, we investigated the role of PZP and MUG-1 proteins in the pathogenesis of WNV infection in mice. "
3.	Antiviral Agents (Antivirals)IBA 01/01/2020 - "IFN-β pretreatment was more effective in protecting against subsequent WNV infection in wt cells than TRIM6-KO, indicating that TRIM6 contributes to the establishment of an IFN-induced antiviral response against WNV. " 01/05/2023 - "Previous studies have characterized age-associated defects in hematopoietic immune cells during WNV infection that culminate in diminished antiviral immunity. " 01/01/2023 - "Previous studies have characterized age-associated defects in hematopoietic immune cells during WNV infection that culminate in diminished antiviral immunity. " 08/01/2008 - "Hence, from this study, pshCapsid has the potential to be developed into effective antiviral strategy for WNV infection." 01/01/2023 - "Pharmacological Elevation of Cellular Dihydrosphingomyelin Provides a Novel Antiviral Strategy against West Nile Virus Infection."
4.	Immunoglobulin M (IgM)IBA 01/01/2012 - "Furthermore, they are effective in identifying WNV and in detecting human IgM response to WNV infection. " 12/15/2003 - "A critical role for induced IgM in the protection against West Nile virus infection." 05/01/2009 - "The study results suggest that the RapidWN WNV IgM EIA is an effective, qualitative screening test that produces results comparable to that of predicate assays and can be employed rapidly to detect WNV IgM in patients suspected of having WNV infection." 01/01/2003 - "Confirmatory studies performed by CDC/SPHL indicated that 38 CDC/SPHL screen-reactive specimens represented true WNV infection; all 38 specimens were reactive in the modified in-house WNV-specific IgM ELISA. " 10/01/2021 - "Among 153 sera from patients with acute WNV infection, the ZIKV IgM antibody result was positive in 56 (37%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 29-44%) and equivocal in 28 (18%; 95% CI 13-25%). "
5.	AntibodiesIBA 07/20/2023 - "The geese were susceptible to the USUV and the WNV infections, as evidenced by specific flavivirus antibodies in all of the birds. " 01/01/2022 - "Objectives: In regions with co-existing flaviviruses, the diagnosis of previous West Nile virus (WNV) infections is challenging due to cross-reacting antibodies. " 10/26/2021 - "Antibodies targeting specific regions in the NS1 structure could serve as the basis for countermeasures that control WNV infection in humans." 01/01/2021 - "Asymptomatic WNV infections are endemic throughout the US creating a large proportion of the population that is seropositive for WNV antibodies. " 08/01/2019 - "Associations between the presence of specific antibodies to the West Nile Virus infection and candidate genes in Romanian horses from the Danube delta."
6.	Immunoglobulin G (IgG)IBA 02/01/2011 - "The results indicate that IgG1 (i) is the main subclass induced following WNV infection of humans, (ii) contained nearly all the in vitro WNV neutralization capacity, and (iii) mediates effector functions in vivo that render it superior to other subclasses in protection against WNV. " 07/01/2019 - "Currently available serological assays for TBEV and WNV infections are therefore compromised by false-positive results, especially in IgG measurements. " 09/01/2011 - "Following an outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) infections in Greece during summer/autumn 2010, a study was conducted to investigate the patterns of WNV IgG reactivity in 255 patients with respect to the day of illness and the type of clinical syndrome. " 01/01/2020 - "Conversely, mice with a cDC Baff deficiency had increased mortality after WNV infection and decreased WNV-specific IgG and neutralizing Ab responses. " 09/01/2018 - "As many patients showed rapid avidity maturation, low IgG avidity is indicative of WNV infection within the previous month."
7.	Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIG)FDA Link 03/01/2023 - "Is Intravenous Immunoglobulin Effective in Reducing the Risk of Mortality and Morbidity in Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Infection?: A Critically Appraised Topic." 07/01/2003 - "Prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of human intravenous immunoglobulin in treating West Nile virus infection in mice." 01/01/2017 - "Moreover, IVIG showed no significant ADE of WNV infection. " 03/01/2009 - "In severe WNV infection, where the disease affects the central and/or peripheral nervous system, early intervention with IVIG together with supportive treatment is recommended." 02/17/2009 - "In a mouse lethal WNV infection model, prophylactic treatment with WNIG was at least 5-10-fold more potent as compared to treatment with IVIG-IL. "
8.	EpitopesIBA 12/19/2011 - "After resolution of West Nile virus infection in mice, we demonstrate that LLPCs were specific for a single dominant neutralizing epitope, such that immune serum poorly inhibited a variant virus that encoded a mutation at this critical epitope. " 04/01/2011 - "In adult mice, RepliVAX WN induced robust and long-lasting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell and Ab (B cell) responses against natural WNV epitopes, similar to those elicited by primary WNV infection. " 02/26/2008 - "Detection and recovery from WNV infection are therefore functions of the ability of class I HLA molecules to reveal conserved WNV epitopes to an intact cellular immune system that subsequently recognizes infected cells." 02/26/2008 - "Epitope discovery in West Nile virus infection: Identification and immune recognition of viral epitopes." 07/01/2007 - "Protective capacity and epitope specificity of CD8(+) T cells responding to lethal West Nile virus infection."
9.	Neutralizing AntibodiesIBA 01/10/2008 - "It induces high neutralizing antibody titers, as well as, protection against lethal WNV infection in C57BL/6 mice. " 01/01/2019 - "To explore the neutralizing antibody repertoire elicited by WNV infection for potential therapeutic application, we isolated ten mAbs from WNV-infected individuals. " 06/30/2016 - "Because of the increasing concern on the potential role that ectotherms may play in the ecology of West Nile virus (WNV), in October 2011 blood samples were collected from 41 endemic Sardinian chelonians and tested for the presence of active WNV infection or neutralizing antibodies by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serumneutralisation, respectively. " 07/01/2012 - "The current work tested the hypothesis that these host neutralizing antibodies protect mosquito vectors from WNV infection and reevaluated the minimum WNV infectious dose necessary to infect Culex tarsalis Coquillett. " 09/01/2008 - "We documented initial (primary) WNV infection and then regularly measured WNV-specific neutralizing antibody titers in 16 resident raptors of seven species, plus one turkey vulture. "
10.	Peptides (Polypeptides)IBA 11/01/2015 - "To determine whether CCL7 reconstitution could therapeutically alter the survival outcome of WNV infection, we administered exogenous CCL7 i.v. to WNV-infected Ccl7(-/-) mice and observed a significant increase in monocytes and neutrophils, but not CD8(+) T cells, within the CNS, as well as an enhancement in survival compared with Ccl7(-/-) mice treated with a linear CCL7 control peptide. " 07/01/2014 - "Our data establish that both peptides are presented on the cell surface after WNV infection and that CD8(+) T cells can detect 10- and 9-mer length variants similarly. " 11/13/2012 - "Further, our data show that CxVago is a secreted peptide that restricts WNV infection by activation of the Jak-STAT pathway. " 11/11/2015 - "A WNV 2K peptide (V9M) mutant capable of superinfection with a pre-established WNV infection demonstrated a comparable level of interference from NHUV as the parental WNV strain in C6/36 and C7-10 cells. " 02/01/2007 - "Of these, peptide 1 prevented WNV infection in vitro with a 50% inhibition concentration of 67 muM and also inhibited infection of a related flavivirus, dengue virus. "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Therapeutics 06/01/2014 - "Although recent studies have significantly increased our understanding of host immune and genetic factors involved in control of WNV infection, no specific therapy is yet available. " 07/01/2007 - "In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic limit of hE16 for the treatment of WNV infection in hamsters by comparing single-dose peripheral (i.p.) therapy with direct administration into the pons through a convection-enhanced delivery (CED) system. " 12/01/2022 - "The presenting complaints, clinical signs, diagnostic evaluation, therapy, and outcome of 12 horses with clinically apparent West-Nile-Virus (WNV) infection are described. " 10/01/2022 - "To date, no specific therapy or vaccination is available for West Nile virus (WNV) infections in humans; preventive strategies represent the only possibility to control transmission. " 10/01/2022 - "Both drugs, which are orally bioavailable and have been approved clinically for many years, may be promising therapeutics for WNV infection. "
2.	Blood Transfusion (Blood Transfusions) 09/01/2016 - "This study was a retrospective study which was performed in Blood Transfusion Center to evaluate the WNV infection in blood donors in Iran. " 01/01/2019 - "Blood transfusion services and clinicians in Germany should be aware of these possible WNV infection risks in humans especially during late summer." 12/01/2006 - "State health departments and BCAs also reported suspect WNV TATs to CDC, which investigated these reports to confirm WNV infection in blood transfusion recipients in the absence of likely mosquito exposure. " 06/01/2005 - "Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of West Nile virus infection in transplant recipients and in patients receiving blood transfusions." 04/09/2004 - "In 2002, transfusion-associated transmission (TAT) of West Nile virus (WNV) infection acquired through blood transfusion marked the emergence of a new threat to the U.S. "
3.	Transplantation 01/01/2019 - "Due to its morbidity, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network recently mandated that transplant centers screen living donors for WNV infection in endemic areas. " 05/15/2014 - "Median time to onset of symptomatic WNV infection was 13 days after transplantation (range 5-37 days). " 05/01/2014 - "In February 2013, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network mandated that transplant centers perform screening of living kidney donors prior to transplantation for Strongyloides, Trypanosoma cruzi and West Nile virus (WNV) infection if the donor is from an endemic area. " 01/01/2020 - "Given the much higher risk of neuroinvasive disease (40% and even higher) based on serologic and clinical studies and increased mortality in transplant population, WNV infection should be considered in all patients presented with fever and neurological symptoms after transplantation, especially during the arbovirus transmission season." 09/15/2013 - "After transplantation, the left kidney recipient had serologic and molecular evidence of WNV infection and the right kidney recipient had prolonged but clinically inapparent WNV viremia. "
4.	Donor Selection 03/01/2006 - "In addition to preventing transfusion-transmitted WNV infection, donor screening can serve as a tool to monitor seasonal incidence in the general population." 10/01/2023 - "Subsequent to the State of the Science in Transfusion Medicine symposium in 2022, our working group (WG), "Emerging Infections: Impact on Blood Science, the Blood Supply, Blood Safety, and Public Health" elected to focus on "leveraging donor populations to study the epidemiology and pathogenesis of transfusion-transmitted and emerging infectious diseases." The 5 landmark studies span (1) the implication of hepatitis C virus in post-transfusion hepatitis, (2) longitudinal evaluation of plasma donors with incident infections, thus informing the development of a widely used staging system for acute HIV infection, (3) explication of the dynamics of early West Nile Virus infection, (4) the deployment of combined molecular and serological donor screening for Babesia microti, to characterize its epidemiology and infectivity and facilitate routine donor screening, and (5) national serosurveillance for SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. "
5.	Renal Dialysis (Hemodialysis) 10/01/2015 - "This study was undertaken to characterize WNV infections in individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI) and CKD, and to evaluate hemodialysis as a probable transmission route. "