Alphaviruses are a captivating group of small, enveloped single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses. They are commonly transmitted by arthropod vectors, particularly mosquitoes. Out of the thirty known species, eight are significant human pathogens, such as the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, while one, salmonid alphavirus, holds economic importance in the farmed fish industry. Due to their small size, alphaviruses have been historically used as model systems for studying viral pathogenesis. Research on alphavirus molecular biology, pathogenesis, and host interactions is crucial not only for disease prevention but also for utilizing certain alphaviruses, like Semliki Forest virus, as effective vehicles for gene therapy and vaccine delivery. This comprehensive book, written by a team of distinguished scientists, provides an up-to-date overview of the latest advancements in alphavirus research.

The primary focus is on pathogenesis and host interactions, covering topics such as genome structure and replication, viral evolution, laboratory diagnosis and detection, interaction with the interferon system, antiviral responses in mosquitoes, animal models of alphavirus-induced inflammatory disease, clinical manifestations of arthritogenic alphaviruses, encephalitic alphaviruses, the application of alphavirus vectors for gene therapy, and chikungunya virus pathogenesis and control strategies. Being the first book exclusively dedicated to alphaviruses, it is an indispensable resource for researchers and clinicians involved in alphavirus and related virus studies. It is essential reading for anyone in the field.

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