Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic virus that causes inflammation and neuronal loss in the Central Nervous System leading to encephalitis and death. In this chapter, detailed methods to detect WNV in the murine brain tissue by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and viral plaque assays are described. Determination of WNV neuropathogenesis by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and immunohistochemical procedures are provided. In addition, TUNEL assays to determine neuronal loss during WNV neuropathogenesis are discussed in detail. Collectively, the methods mentioned in this chapter provide an overview to understand neuroinvasion and neuropathogenesis in a murine model of WNV infection.
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Acknowledgement
This work is supported by start-up funds from Old Dominion University to H.S. The author would like to acknowledge Dr. Girish Neelakanta for critically reading and commenting on this chapter.
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Sultana, H. (2016). Examination of West Nile Virus Neuroinvasion and Neuropathogenesis in the Central Nervous System of a Murine Model. In: Colpitts, T. (eds) West Nile Virus. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1435. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3670-0_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3670-0_8
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