What Is Microbiology - West Nile Encephalitis

​West Nile Encephalitis


West Nile encephalitis is caused by West Nile virus. West Nile virus is caused by flavivirus member. 

West Nile virus can be identified by detection of the virus specific IgM in cerebrospinal fluid and serum. West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquito or blood transfusion, breast feeding, organ transplantation and transplacental.

West Nile virus will be inoculated into the bloodstream which later spread into the monocytes- macrophages cell lineage. West Nile virus may spread via capillary endothelial cells or choroid plexus into the central nervous system. 

West Nile virus maybe asymptomatic or present with headache, fever, myalgia, disorientation, stiffness of the neck, nausea and malaise. The clinical condition may progress form flu like febrile illness to encephalitis. 

The common preventive measures may include DEET containing insect propellant and control of mosquito vector by protective clothing.