A Brief Review of West Nile Virus Biology. Overview of West Nile Virus Transmission and Epidemiology -- Propagation and Titration of West Nile Virus on Vero Cells -- Generating West Nile Virus from an Infectious Clone -- Functional Analysis of West Nile Virus Proteins in Human Cells -- Lessons from the Murine Models of West Nile Virus Infection -- Exploration of West Nile Virus Infection in Mouse Models -- Examination of West Nile Virus Neuroinvasion and Neuropathogenesis in the Central Nervous System of a Murine Model -- In Vitro and In Vivo Blood-Brain Barrier Models to Study West Nile Virus Pathogenesis -- Methodology for Identifying Host Factors Involved in West Nile Virus Infection -- ELISA and Neutralization Methods to Measure Anti-West Nile Virus Antibody Responses -- Safe Handling of West Nile Virus in the Insectary -- Techniques for Experimental Infection of Mosquitoes with West Nile Virus -- Field Surveillance Methods for West Nile Virus -- Detection Protocols for West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes, Birds, and Non-Human Mammals -- Field Methods and Sample Collection Techniques for the Surveillance of West Nile Virus in Avian Hosts -- Statistical Tools for the Interpretation of Enzootic West Nile Virus Transmission Dynamics -- Role of Immune Aging in Susceptibility to West Nile Virus -- An Overview of Current Approaches Toward the Treatment and Prevention of West Nile Virus Infection.

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.