Aspects of the immune response in West Nile virus infection

West Nile fever (WNF) is a zoonotic infection caused by West Nile virus (WNV), which belongs to the family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, most often from the genus Culex. The relevance of this infection remains at a high level due to its worldwide spread and damage to the central nervous system. Also, methods of specific diagnosis and treatment of this disease have not been developed. Research on the immune system can help solve these problems. The immune response to West Nile virus is a complex interaction of innate and adaptive mechanisms. While the immune system usually effectively controls infection, in some cases excessive inflammation or an insufficient immune response can lead to severe consequences, including damage to the central nervous system. Understanding these mechanisms is of key importance for the development of vaccines and therapeutic approaches to the treatment of WNF.