WHAT IS WESTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS SEROLOGY TEST?
Western equine encephalitis is caused by a group A arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus), specifically, togavirus, which results in inflammation of parts of the brain, meninges, and spinal cord in horses and humans. Occurrence is primarily in the Western Hemisphere and in summer to early fall. Mode of transmission to humans is from small birds and mammals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms are short in duration and may range from mild to fatal (10%) encephalitis symptoms (stiff neck, lethargy, sore throat, vomiting, stupor, coma, paralysis in children). Identification of the virus is performed through viral neutralization, complement fixation, hemagglutinin inhibition, fluorescent antibody, and agar gel precipitation. A positive IgG or IgM result indicates current or recent infection.
