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Frías M, Caballero-Gómez J, Vázquez A, Madrigal E, Ruiz-Fons F, Gallo M, Herrero L, Jarilla M, García-Bocanegra I, Rivero ARJA. Serosurvey of Blood Donors to Assess West Nile Virus Exposure, South-Central Spain. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:1496-1498. [PMID: 38916587 PMCID: PMC11210648 DOI: 10.3201/eid3007.240450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
We analyzed West Nile Virus (WNV) exposure from 1,222 blood donors during 2017-2018 from an area of south-central Spain. Results revealed WNV seroprevalence of 0.08% (95% CI 0.004%-0.4%) in this population. Our findings underscore the need for continued surveillance and research to manage WNV infection in this region.
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García-Cervera C, Iftimie SM, Martínez MJ, Vázquez González A, Parra-Pérez S, Revuelta-López-Cordón L, Gil-Toral J, Vileu Vallverdu RM, Martínez Mateo A, López-Azcona AF, Pujol-Bajador I, Ballester-Bastardie F, Castro-Salomó A. Report on the first two confirmed autochthonous cases of West Nile virus encephalitis in Catalonia, Spain. Infect Dis (Lond) 2023; 55:798-802. [PMID: 37471287 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2023.2236703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that can cause Central Nervous System infection in humans. Previous autochthonous cases of WNV encephalitis have been described in Spain, but none in Catalonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS We report on the first two autochthonous cases of encephalitis in humans caused by the West Nile virus (WNV) diagnosed in Catalonia (northeastern region of Spain). RESULTS An old married couple presented with clinical and biological signs compatible with viral encephalitis. Acute and convalescent serum samples showed IgM and IgG positivity for WNV. In addition, IgM was also detected in cerebrospinal fluid in the male patient. The serological results were later confirmed by microneutralization assays. CONCLUSIONS WNV infection must be considered in patients presenting with meningoencephalitis with viral CSF characteristics when common pathogens are excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carles García-Cervera
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Simona Mihaela Iftimie
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Miguel J Martínez
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, CDB, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Vázquez González
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Publica (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Parra-Pérez
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | | | - Joan Gil-Toral
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Rosa Mercè Vileu Vallverdu
- Camp de Tarragona Epidemiological Surveillance Service, "Servei de Vigilància Epidemiològica al Camp de Tarragona, Subdirecció Regional al Camp de Tarragona I Terres de l'Ebre. Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya", Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ana Martínez Mateo
- Chief of Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Department of Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Isabel Pujol-Bajador
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | | | - Antoni Castro-Salomó
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
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Watts DM, Rodriguez CM, Palermo PM, Suarez V, Wong SJ, Orbegozo J, Dupuis AP, Kramer LD, Gonzalez FJ, Handel GA. Serosurvey for dengue virus infection among pregnant women in the West Nile virus enzootic community of El Paso Texas. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242889. [PMID: 33253280 PMCID: PMC7703982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
All 4 dengue viruses (DENV) cause sporadic outbreaks of human disease in the Rio Grande Valley along the US-Mexico border. In addition, West Nile virus (WNV) is enzootic in most border communities, and is the only arbovirus known to cause human disease in the El Paso, Texas community. In an effort to determine if DENV were also endemic in the El Paso community, a serosurvey was conducted among mothers at the time of delivery of their babies in selected hospitals. Cord-blood plasma samples obtained from mothers were tested for DENV antibody by an enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA), plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) and a multiplex microsphere immunoassay. All DENV antibody positive plasma samples were also tested for WNV antibody by the same assays to consider the possibility that DENV antibody positive samples reflected WNV cross reactive antibody. The results indicated that 0.74% (11/1,472) of the mothers had a previous DENV infection and that 3.3% (48/1,472) had a previous WNV infection. Of these mothers, 0.20% (3/1,472) had antibody to both DENV and WNV as evidence of infection by both viruses. The results indicated that 0.2% (3/1472) of the mothers were positive for antibody to only WNV envelope, thus suggesting an undetermined flavivirus infection. Although 6 of the 11 DENV antibody positive mothers did not have a history of travel to a DENV endemic country, the findings of this survey provided further evidence of local transmission of WNV and suggested the possibility of focal autochthonous transmission of DENV in the El Paso community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas M. Watts
- Department of Biological Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Cynthia M. Rodriguez
- Department of Biological Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Pedro M. Palermo
- Department of Biological Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Veronica Suarez
- Department of Biological Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Susan J. Wong
- Diagnostic Immunology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States of America
| | - Jeanette Orbegozo
- Department of Biological Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alan P. Dupuis
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, United States of America
| | - Laura D. Kramer
- Arbovirus Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Slingerlands, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Gilbert A. Handel
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
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Eshetu D, Kifle T, Agaje BG, Hirigo AT. Seropositivity of West Nile Virus Among Acute Febrile Patients in Southern Ethiopia. Infect Drug Resist 2020; 13:1491-1497. [PMID: 32547118 PMCID: PMC7246317 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s245518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the widely distributed arboviruses in the world, and it is a pathogen of both humans and animals. The evidence that supports the prevalence of the WNV infection in Ethiopia is very scarce. Hence, this study aimed to assess the seropositivity of WNV among patients with acute febrile illness. Methods This health institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 532 acute febrile patients from May to August 2016 in Arba Minch Zuria district selected public health facilities, Southern Ethiopia. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and clinical related information of the participants through convenient sampling techniques. In addition, trained nurses who were working in the health centers were responsible for interviewing acute febrile patients. About 5 mL of venous blood was collected aseptically from each of the study participants for the screening of the WNV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence technique (IIFT) as per manufacturer’s protocol. Data analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 software and the results were presented by frequency and percentage using tables. Results A total number of 529 acute febrile patients (42.7% males and 57.3% females) were enrolled in the study with a response rate of 99.4%. The overall 7.4% of acute febrile patients were seropositive for WNV-specific IgG and the rate was higher in males (9.7%) when compared to females (5.6%). While the overall 4.5% were seropositive for WNV-specific IgM and the rate was 6.6% in males and 3.0% in females. Conclusion The finding of this study is an important alarm for clinicians/physicians to diagnose febrile patients in the divergent direction including with the diagnosis of flaviviruses. In addition, the finding will further contribute to understanding the epidemiology of WNV fever in Ethiopia and it will play a role in the delivery of public health measures to decrease the risk of WNV exposure in the areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Eshetu
- Yirgalem Hospital Medical College, Department of Microbiology, Yirgalem Town, Southern Ethiopia
| | - Tigist Kifle
- Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Science, Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia
| | - Bekalu Getahun Agaje
- Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Optometry, Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia
| | - Agete Tadewos Hirigo
- Hawassa University, College of Medicine and Health Science, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia
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Obaidat MM, Stringer AP, Roess AA. Seroprevalence, risk factors and spatial distribution of West Nile virus in Jordan. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2020; 113:24-30. [PMID: 30299511 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/try111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This is the first countrywide study of the seroprevalence, risk factors and spatial distribution of West Nile virus (WNV) in Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional sample of 801 participants was administered a comprehensive questionnaire survey and tested for WNV immunoglobulin G antibodies. Results The point seroprevalence rate for WNV infection was 8.61% (95% confidence interval 6.8 to 10.8). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that sex, age, climate, income and drinking water source were significantly associated with seropositivity (p≤0.05). Males had 1.73 greater odds of infection compared with females. Compared with 15 to 29-year-olds, adults 30-49 y old and adults ≥50 y old had 2.0 and 3.1 greater odds of infection, respectively. Individuals living in the Jordan Valley and Badia had 22.2 and 7.2 times greater odds of infection, respectively, compared with individuals living in the highlands. Households with an income of <US$750/month had 1.8 greater odds of infection compared with those with higher household incomes. Individuals using spring lakes as a drinking water source had 5.1 greater odds of infection than people who used water from any other source. Conclusions This study demonstrates that WNV is circulating in Jordan and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in medical cases presenting with nervous system symptoms, especially for older populations living in the Jordan Valley and Badia areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M Obaidat
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Ar-Ramtha, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Andrew P Stringer
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Amira A Roess
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, USA
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Presence of Antibodies against Sindbis Virus in the Israeli Population: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060542. [PMID: 31212605 PMCID: PMC6630228 DOI: 10.3390/v11060542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Sindbis virus (SINV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus circulating globally. SINV outbreaks have been mainly reported in North-European countries. In Israel, SINV was detected in 6.3% of mosquito pools; however, SINV infection in humans has rarely been diagnosed. A serologic survey to detect SINV IgG antibodies was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of SINV in the Israeli population. In total, 3145 serum samples collected in 2011-2014, representing all age and population groups in Israel, were assessed using an indirect ELISA assay, and a neutralization assay was performed on all ELISA-positive samples. The prevalence rates of SINV IgG antibodies were calculated. Logistic regressions models were applied to assess the association between demographic characteristics and SINV seropositivity. Overall, 113 (3.6%) and 59 (1.9%) samples were positive for ELISA and neutralization SINV IgG, respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that SINV seropositivity was significantly associated with older age and residence outside metropolitan areas. These results demonstrate that, despite no outbreaks or clinical presentation, SINV infects the human population in Israel. Seropositivity is countrywide, more frequent in people of older age, and less diffuse in Israel's metropolitan areas. Seroprevalence studies from other countries will add to our understanding of the global burden of SINV and the risk for potential SINV outbreaks.
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Lustig Y, Kaufman Z, Mendelson E, Orshan L, Anis E, Glazer Y, Cohen D, Shohat T, Bassal R. Spatial distribution of West Nile virus in humans and mosquitoes in Israel, 2000-2014. Int J Infect Dis 2017; 64:20-26. [PMID: 28882664 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2017.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Israel has a long history of West Nile virus (WNV) morbidity, and the rate of detection of WNV in mosquitoes has been high since 2000. The aim of this study was to integrate several WNV datasets in order to gain an insight into the geographical distribution of WNV in Israel. METHODS Three choropleth maps were generated showing WNV human morbidity, WNV prevalence in mosquitoes, and the results of a nationwide serological survey, based on the division of Israel into 15 sub-districts. RESULTS The maps show a high endemicity of WNV in Israel. In respect to the morbidity map, the population residing in the central part of the country and in Arava Region is at higher risk of developing the disease than the population of the rest of Israel. Interestingly, high prevalence rates of both WNV serology and WNV-infected mosquitoes were detected in Arava Region, but lower prevalence rates were detected in most areas of the coastal region, suggesting that other factors might also be important in the development of symptomatic WNV infections. CONCLUSIONS These results underline the high prevalence of WNV in Israel and point to specific risk areas for WNV infections across the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaniv Lustig
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
| | - Zalman Kaufman
- Israel Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Ella Mendelson
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Laor Orshan
- Laboratory of Entomology, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Emilia Anis
- Division of Epidemiology, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel; Braun School of Public Health, Hebrew University and Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yael Glazer
- Division of Epidemiology, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Daniel Cohen
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamy Shohat
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ravit Bassal
- Israel Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
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Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is endemic in Israel, affecting yearly 40-160 individuals. Israel is located on a central migratory path between Africa and Eurasia and most West Nile Fever (WNF) cases reported in recent years were among residents of the coastal plain. The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of WNV among the Israeli population and to assess correlates for WNV infection. A cross-sectional nationwide serologic survey was conducted using 3,145 serum samples collected by the national Israeli serum bank during 2011-2014, representing all age and population groups in Israel. Prevalence rates of WNV IgG antibodies were determined. Logistic regressions models were applied to assess the associations between demographic characteristics and WNV seropositivity. 350 samples were positive to WNV (11.1%; 95%CI: 10.0-12.3%). In the multivariable analysis, there was a significant association between seropositivity and the Arab population group vs. Jews and others (OR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.37-2.52), the time lived in Israel [50-59 years vs. 0-9 years; OR = 10.80 (95%CI: 1.03-113.46) and ≥60 years vs. 0-9 years; OR = 14.00 (1.32-148.31)] residence area] Coastal Plain, Inland Plain (Shfela) and Great Rift Valley vs. Upper Galilee; OR = 2.24 (95%CI: 1.37-3.65), OR = 2.18 (95%CI: 1.18-4.03), OR = 1.90 (95%CI: 1.10-3.30), respectively [and rural vs. urban settlement (OR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.26-2.16). People, who reside in the Coastal Plain, Inland Plain and Great Rift Valley, should be aware of the risk of contracting WNV and reduce exposure to mosquito bites, using insect repellents, and wearing protective clothing. The Ministry of Environmental Protection should be active in reducing the mosquito population by eliminating sources of standing water, a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
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