scholarly journals Extraordinary increase in West Nile virus cases and first confirmed human Usutu virus infection in Hungary, 2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (28) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Nagy ◽  
Eszter Mezei ◽  
Orsolya Nagy ◽  
Tamás Bakonyi ◽  
Nikolett Csonka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Differential Diagnostics ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Viral Nucleic Acid ◽  
Transmission Season ◽  
Usutu Virus

Background During the 2018 WNV transmission season, similarly to other endemic areas in Europe, a large number of human West Nile virus (WNV) infections were reported in Hungary. Aims We summarise the epidemiological and laboratory findings of the 2018 transmission season and expand experiences in flavivirus differential diagnostics. Methods Every patient with clinical suspicion of acute WNV infection was in parallel tested for WNV, tick-borne encephalitis virus and Usutu virus (USUV) by serological methods. Sera, whole blood and urine samples were also tested for the presence of viral nucleic acid. Results Until the end of December 2018, 215 locally acquired and 10 imported human WNV infections were notified in Hungary. All reported cases were symptomatic; most of them exhibited neurological symptoms. In a large proportion of tested individuals, whole blood was the most appropriate sample type for viral nucleic acid detection, but because whole blood samples were not always available, testing of urine samples also extended diagnostic possibilities. In addition, the first human USUV infection was confirmed in 2018 in a patient with aseptic meningitis. Serological cross-reactions with WNV in different serological assays were experienced, but subsequent molecular biological testing and sequence analysis identified Europe lineage 2 USUV infection. Conclusion Careful interpretation and simultaneous application of different laboratory methods are necessary to avoid misdiagnosis of human USUV cases. Expansion of the laboratory-confirmed case definition criteria for detection of viral RNA in any clinical specimens to include urine samples could increase diagnostic sensitivity.

scholarly journals West Nile virus nucleic acid persistence in whole blood months after clearance in plasma: implication for transfusion and transplantation safety

Transfusion ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 3232-3241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion C. Lanteri ◽  
Tzong-Hae Lee ◽  
Li Wen ◽  
Zhanna Kaidarova ◽  
Marjorie D. Bravo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
West Nile

scholarly journals Co‐Infections: Simultaneous Detections of West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Birds from Germany

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Dianne Santos ◽  
Friederike Michel ◽  
Claudia Wylezich ◽  
Dirk Höper ◽  
Markus Keller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus

scholarly journals Screening of Mosquitoes for West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Croatia, 2015–2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Ana Klobucar ◽  
Vladimir Savic ◽  
Marcela Curman Posavec ◽  
Suncica Petrinic ◽  
Urska Kuhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Culex Pipiens ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Culex Pipiens Complex ◽  
Mammalian Origin ◽  
Mosquito Pool ◽  
The City ◽  
Generation Sequencing

In the period from 2015 to 2020, an entomological survey for the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in mosquitoes was performed in northwestern Croatia. A total of 20,363 mosquitoes were sampled in the City of Zagreb and Međimurje county, grouped in 899 pools and tested by real-time RT-PCR for WNV and USUV RNA. All pools were negative for WNV while one pool each from 2016 (Aedes albopictus), 2017 (Culex pipiens complex), 2018 (Cx. pipiens complex), and 2019 (Cx. pipiens complex), respectively, was positive for USUV. The 2018 and 2019 positive pools shared 99.31% nucleotide homology within the USUV NS5 gene and both clustered within USUV Europe 2 lineage. The next-generation sequencing of one mosquito pool (Cx. pipiens complex) collected in 2018 in Zagreb confirmed the presence of USUV and revealed several dsDNA and ssRNA viruses of insect, bacterial and mammalian origin.

Surveillance on antibodies against West Nile virus, Usutu virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus and Tribeč virus in wild birds in Drienovská wetland, Slovakia

Biologia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 813-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomáš Csank ◽  
Ľuboš Korytár ◽  
Terézia Pošiváková ◽  
Tamás Bakonyi ◽  
Juraj Pistl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Encephalitis Virus ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus

scholarly journals Increase in human West Nile and Usutu virus infections, Austria, 2018

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (43) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan W. Aberle ◽  
Jolanta Kolodziejek ◽  
Christof Jungbauer ◽  
Karin Stiasny ◽  
Judith H. Aberle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
West Nile Fever ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Neuroinvasive Disease ◽  
Human West Nile Virus ◽  
Imported Cases

Between 28 June and 17 September 2018, 27 cases of human West Nile virus infections were recorded in Austria; four cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease, 11 cases of West Nile fever, six infections detected by blood donation screening and six imported cases. In addition, 18 cases of human Usutu virus infections (all blood donors) were recorded. This is the highest number of annual infections recorded in Austria since the introduction of both viruses.

The Informed Consent Process in Whole Blood Donation

2008 ◽  
Vol 132 (6) ◽  
pp. 947-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay A. Alaishuski ◽  
Rodney D. Grim ◽  
Ronald E. Domen
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Informed Consent Process ◽  
Positive Test ◽  
Consent Process ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Eligibility Requirements

Abstract Context.—Informed consent in transfusion medicine has been an area lacking of significant research and it is unknown if donors fully comprehend the risks associated with whole blood donation. Objective.—To assess the adequacy of the informed consent process in whole blood donation. Design.—A brief questionnaire was constructed and distributed to whole blood donors visiting various fixed and mobile donor sites of the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank. Questions consisted of demographic information; donor opinions of information content, length, and comprehension; and a short quiz pertaining to donor risks and eligibility. Results.—Analysis of 849 surveys demonstrated that donors comprehended a mean of 73.5% of the various donor eligibility and risks that were surveyed. Female and younger donors scored statistically higher on comprehension questions compared with male and older counterparts. Donors were most aware of (1) donor eligibility requirements related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome comprehension, (2) the risk of dizziness postdonation, and (3) having lived in a certain country (93.7%–95.6% comprehension, respectively). Donors were least aware of (1) the risk of a possible referral to a physician for outstanding medical conditions or positive test results, (2) the risk of a positive test result, and (3) West Nile virus testing information (22.4%–49.3% comprehension, respectively). Conclusions.—Whole blood donors believed that they were giving informed consent, but a significant percentage of donors were unaware of several of the risks associated with blood donation, including participation in West Nile virus research testing. Our data suggest that donors do not fully comprehend the risks of whole blood donation and that repetition of information to the donor, and in multiple formats, strengthens the level of comprehension and thus the informed consent process.

scholarly journals Co-Circulation of West Nile and Usutu Flaviviruses in Mosquitoes in Slovakia, 2018

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktória Čabanová ◽  
Silvie Šikutová ◽  
Petra Straková ◽  
Oldřich Šebesta ◽  
Bronislava Vichová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
The European Union ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Pathogenic Viruses ◽  
Lineage 2 ◽  
First Time

Monitoring West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) activity now has the highest priority among mosquito-borne pathogenic viruses circulating in the European Union. This study documents a first time detection and the co-circulation of WNV lineage-2 (with the minimal prevalence of 0.46%) and USUV clade Europe 2 (with the minimal prevalence of 0.25%) in mosquitoes from the same habitat of south-western Slovakia and underlines necessity to perform rigorous surveillance in birds, mosquitoes, horses and humans in that country.

Effects of climate change on vector-borne diseases: an updated focus on West Nile virus in humans

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shlomit Paz
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
The West ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Transmission Season ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Abstract One of the main impacts of climate change on health is the influence on vector-borne diseases (VBDs). During the last few years, yearly outbreaks of the West Nile virus (WNV) have occurred in many locations, providing evidence of ongoing transmission. Currently, it is the most widely distributed arbovirus in the world. Increases in ambient temperature have impacts on WNV transmission. Indeed, clear associations were found between warm conditions and WNV outbreaks in various areas. The impact of changes in rainfall patterns on the incidence of the disease is influenced by the amount of precipitation (increased rainfall, floods or droughts), depending on the local conditions and the differences in the ecology and sensitivity of the species of mosquito. Predictions indicate that for WNV, increased warming will result in latitudinal and altitudinal expansions of regions climatically suitable for transmission, particularly along the current edges of its transmission areas. Extension of the transmission season is also predicted. As models show that the current climate change trends are expected to continue, it is important to reinforce WNV control efforts and increase the resilience of population health. For a better preparedness, any assessment of future transmission of WNV should consider the impacts of the changing climate.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document