Main description:

This volume is a collection of
research methods, techniques, and approaches to investigate the molecular
biology of West Nile Virus (WNV). Chapters in the book cover many facets of
WNV, such as propagation and titration of WNV in vero cells, examination of WNV
neuroinvasion and neuropathogenesis in the central nervous system of a murine
model, field surveillance methods for WNV, and in vitro and in vivo
blood-brain barrier models to study WNV pathogenesis. A brief introduction,
along with a discussion on WNV laboratory safety are also included. Written in
the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format,
chapters includes introduction to their respective topics, lists of the
necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory
protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Practical and thorough, West Nile Virus will interest virologists,
molecular biologists, microbiologists, and other scientists working with WNV.
This book is a comprehensive guide for those conducting research in the field
of WNV biology, including life cycles, pathogenesis, impact of infection, and
possible treatment/prevention development.

Contents:

1. A Brief Review
of West Nile Virus Biology
Berlin Londono-Renteria and Tonya M.
Colpitts

2. Overview
of West Nile Virus Transmission and Epidemiology
Andrea Troupin and Tonya M. Colpitts

3. Propagation
and Titration of West Nile Virus on Vero Cells
Alexander J. McAuley and David W. C.
Beasley

4. Generating West Nile Virus from an
Infectious Clone
Rianna Vandergasst and Brenda L. Frederickson

5. Functional
Analysis of West Nile Virus Proteins in Human Cells
Pakieli H. Kaufusi, Alanna Tseng, and
Vivek R. Nerurkar

6. Lessons
from the Murine Models of West Nile Virus Infection
Brenna McGruder, Vandana Saxena, and Tian
Wang

7. Exploration
of West Nile Virus Infection in Mouse Models
Penghua Wang

8. Examination
of West Nile Virus Neuroinvasion and Neuropathogenesis in the Central Nervous System
of a Murine Model
Hameeda Sultana

9. In Vitro and In Vivo Blood-Brain Barrier Models to Study West Nile Virus Pathogenesis
Mukesh Kumar and Vivek R. Nerurkar

10. Methodology for Identifying Host Factors Involved
in West Nile Virus Infection
Manoj N. Krishnan

11. ELISA and
Neutralization Methods to Measure Anti-West Nile Virus Antibody Responses
Brian M. Friedrich and David W. C.
Beasley

12. Safe Handling
of West Nile Virus in the Insectary
Dexter R. McKellar and Michael J.
Conway

13. Techniques for Experimental Infection of Mosquitoes
with West Nile Virus
Yang Liu and Gong Cheng

14. Field Surveillance Methods for West Nile Virus
Samuel B. Jameson, and Dawn M. Wesson

15. Detection
Protocols for West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes, Birds, and Non-Human Mammals
Elizabeth B. Kauffman, Mary A. Franke,
and Laura D. Kramer

16. Field Methods and Sample Collection Techniques
for the Surveillance of West Nile Virus in Avian Hosts
Sarah S. Wheeler, Walter M. Boyce, and
William K. Reisen

17. Statistical
Tools for the Interpretation of Enzootic West Nile Virus Transmission Dynamics
Kevin A. Caillouet and Suzanne Robertson

18. Role of Immune
Aging in Susceptibility to West Nile Virus
Yi Yao and Ruth R. Montgomery
19. An Overview
of Current Approaches Toward the Treatment and Prevention of West Nile Virus Infection
Dhiraj Acharya and Fengwei Bai