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Emmerich P, Jakupi X, Sherifi K, Dreshaj S, Kalaveshi A, Hemmer C, Hajdari DP, von Possel R, Cadar D, Tomazatos A. Serologic and Genomic Investigation of West Nile Virus in Kosovo. Viruses 2023; 16:66. [PMID: 38257766 PMCID: PMC10818488 DOI: 10.3390/v16010066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) is increasing across Europe, with cases emerging in previously unaffected countries. Kosovo is situated in a WNV-endemic region where the seroepidemiological data on WNV in humans remains absent. To address this issue, we have conducted a seroepidemiological investigation of 453 randomly selected sera from a hospital in Kosovo, revealing a 1.55% anti-WNV IgG seroprevalence. Comparative and phylogeographic analyses of the WNV genomes obtained by sequencing archived samples from patients with West Nile fever indicate at least two recent and distinct introductions of WNV lineage 2 into Kosovo from neighboring countries. These findings confirm the eco-epidemiological status of WNV in southeast Europe, where long- and short-range dispersion of lineage 2 strains contributes to a wider circulation via central Europe. Our results suggest an increasing risk for WNV spreading in Kosovo, underscoring the need for an integrated national surveillance program targeting vectors and avian populations for early epidemic detection, as well as the screening of blood donors to gauge the impact of virus circulation on the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Emmerich
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.E.); (R.v.P.)
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Xhevat Jakupi
- National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, 10000 Pristina, Kosovo; (X.J.); (A.K.); (D.P.H.)
| | - Kurtesh Sherifi
- Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo;
| | - Shemsedin Dreshaj
- University Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina, 10000 Pristina, Kosovo;
| | - Ariana Kalaveshi
- National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, 10000 Pristina, Kosovo; (X.J.); (A.K.); (D.P.H.)
| | - Christoph Hemmer
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Donjeta Pllana Hajdari
- National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, 10000 Pristina, Kosovo; (X.J.); (A.K.); (D.P.H.)
| | - Ronald von Possel
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.E.); (R.v.P.)
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Dániel Cadar
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.E.); (R.v.P.)
| | - Alexandru Tomazatos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (P.E.); (R.v.P.)
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Prioteasa FL, Dinu S, Tiron GV, Stancu IG, Fălcuță E, Ceianu CS, Cotar AI. First Detection and Molecular Characterization of Usutu Virus in Culex pipiens Mosquitoes Collected in Romania. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030684. [PMID: 36985256 PMCID: PMC10054730 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emergent arbovirus in Europe causing mortality in bird populations. Similar to West Nile virus (WNV), USUV is maintained in sylvatic cycles between mosquito vectors and bird reservoirs. Spillover events may result in human neurological infection cases. Apart from indirect evidence provided by a recent serological study in wild birds, the circulation of USUV in Romania was not assessed. We aimed to detect and molecular characterize USUV circulating in mosquito vectors collected in South-Eastern Romania-a well-known WNV endemic region-during four transmission seasons. Mosquitoes were collected from Bucharest metropolitan area and Danube Delta, pooled, and screened by real-time RT-PCR for USUV. Partial genomic sequences were obtained and used for phylogeny. USUV was detected in Culex pipiens s.l. female mosquitoes collected in Bucharest, in 2019. The virus belonged to Europe 2 lineage, sub-lineage EU2-A. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high similarity with isolates infecting mosquito vectors, birds, and humans in Europe starting with 2009, all sharing common origin in Northern Italy. To our knowledge, this is the first study characterizing a strain of USUV circulating in Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Liviu Prioteasa
- Medical Entomology Laboratory, Cantacuzino National Military Medical Institute for Research and Development, 103 Splaiul Independenței, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sorin Dinu
- Molecular Epidemiology for Communicable Diseases Laboratory, Cantacuzino National Military Medical Institute for Research and Development, 103 Splaiul Independenței, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Georgiana Victorița Tiron
- Vector-Borne Infections Laboratory, Cantacuzino National Military Medical Institute for Research and Development, 103 Splaiul Independenței, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 1-3 Aleea Portocalelor, 060101 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioana Georgeta Stancu
- Vector-Borne Infections Laboratory, Cantacuzino National Military Medical Institute for Research and Development, 103 Splaiul Independenței, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 1-3 Aleea Portocalelor, 060101 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Elena Fălcuță
- Medical Entomology Laboratory, Cantacuzino National Military Medical Institute for Research and Development, 103 Splaiul Independenței, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cornelia Svetlana Ceianu
- Vector-Borne Infections Laboratory, Cantacuzino National Military Medical Institute for Research and Development, 103 Splaiul Independenței, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ani Ioana Cotar
- Vector-Borne Infections Laboratory, Cantacuzino National Military Medical Institute for Research and Development, 103 Splaiul Independenței, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
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CRIVEI LA, MOUTAILLER S, GONZALEZ G, LOWENSKI S, CRIVEI IC, POREA D, ANITA DC, RATOI IA, ZIENTARA S, OSLOBANU LE, TOMAZATOS A, SAVUTA G, LECOLLINET S. Detection of West Nile Virus Lineage 2 in Eastern Romania and First Identification of Sindbis Virus RNA in Mosquitoes Analyzed using High-Throughput Microfluidic Real-Time PCR. Viruses 2023; 15:186. [PMID: 36680227 PMCID: PMC9860827 DOI: 10.3390/v15010186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of mosquito-borne diseases on human and veterinary health is being exacerbated by rapid environmental changes caused mainly by changing climatic patterns and globalization. To gain insight into mosquito-borne virus circulation from two counties in eastern and southeastern Romania, we have used a combination of sampling methods in natural, urban and peri-urban sites. The presence of 37 mosquito-borne viruses in 16,827 pooled mosquitoes was analyzed using a high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR assay. West Nile virus (WNV) was detected in 10/365 pools of Culex pipiens (n = 8), Culex modestus (n = 1) and Aedes vexans (n = 1) from both studied counties. We also report the first molecular detection of Sindbis virus (SINV) RNA in the country in one pool of Culex modestus. WNV infection was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR (10/10) and virus isolation on Vero or C6/36 cells (four samples). For the SINV-positive pool, no cytopathic effectwas observed after infection of Vero or C6/36 cells, but no amplification was obtained in conventional SINV RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of WNV partial NS5 sequences revealed that WNV lineage 2 of theCentral-Southeast European clade, has a wider circulation in Romania than previously known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Alexandra CRIVEI
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Sara MOUTAILLER
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Gaëlle GONZALEZ
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Steeve LOWENSKI
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Ioana Cristina CRIVEI
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Daniela POREA
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Dragoș Constantin ANITA
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Ioana Alexandra RATOI
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Stéphan ZIENTARA
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Luanda Elena OSLOBANU
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Alexandru TOMAZATOS
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gheorghe SAVUTA
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Sylvie LECOLLINET
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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Santos PD, Günther A, Keller M, Homeier-Bachmann T, Groschup MH, Beer M, Höper D, Ziegler U. An advanced sequence clustering and designation workflow reveals the enzootic maintenance of a dominant West Nile virus subclade in Germany. Virus Evol 2023; 9:vead013. [PMID: 37197362 PMCID: PMC10184446 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most widespread arthropod-borne (arbo) virus and the primary cause of arboviral encephalitis globally. Members of WNV species genetically diverged and are classified into different hierarchical groups below species rank. However, the demarcation criteria for allocating WNV sequences into these groups remain individual and inconsistent, and the use of names for different levels of the hierarchical levels is unstructured. In order to have an objective and comprehensible grouping of WNV sequences, we developed an advanced grouping workflow using the 'affinity propagation clustering' algorithm and newly included the 'agglomerative hierarchical clustering' algorithm for the allocation of WNV sequences into different groups below species rank. In addition, we propose to use a fixed set of terms for the hierarchical naming of WNV below species level and a clear decimal numbering system to label the determined groups. For validation, we applied the refined workflow to WNV sequences that have been previously grouped into various lineages, clades, and clusters in other studies. Although our workflow regrouped some WNV sequences, overall, it generally corresponds with previous groupings. We employed our novel approach to the sequences from the WNV circulation in Germany 2020, primarily from WNV-infected birds and horses. Besides two newly defined minor (sub)clusters comprising only three sequences each, Subcluster 2.5.3.4.3c was the predominant WNV sequence group detected in Germany from 2018 to 2020. This predominant subcluster was also associated with at least five human WNV infections in 2019-20. In summary, our analyses imply that the genetic diversity of the WNV population in Germany is shaped by enzootic maintenance of the dominant WNV subcluster accompanied by sporadic incursions of other rare clusters and subclusters. Moreover, we show that our refined approach for sequence grouping yields meaningful results. Although we primarily aimed at a more detailed WNV classification, the presented workflow can also be applied to the objective genotyping of other virus species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Markus Keller
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, Partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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Using Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP) as a Tool for an Early Warning System Assessing West Nile Virus Epidemiological Risk in Bucharest, Romania. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7110327. [DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most widely spread arbovirus in the world. Early detection of this virus in mosquito populations is essential for implementing rapid vector control measures to prevent outbreaks. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) is a powerful tool for the detection of WNV in mosquito pools, but it is a time- and resource-consuming assay. We used a Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP) assay in a vector surveillance program for rapid detection of WNV in mosquitoes collected in Bucharest city, Romania, in 2021. The positive mosquito pools were tested for confirmation with real-time RT-PCR. Three out of the 24 RAMP assay positive pools were not confirmed by real-time RT-PCR. We consider that RAMP assay can be used as a fast and reliable method for the screening of WNV presence in mosquito pools, but we recommend that samples with values ranging from 30 to 100 RAMP units should fall in a grey zone and should be considered for real-time RT-PCR confirmation.
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Seroprevalence Rates against West Nile, Usutu, and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Viruses in Blood-Donors from North-Western Romania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19138182. [PMID: 35805850 PMCID: PMC9266370 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are all arboviruses belonging to Flaviviridae family. All are characterized by vectorial transmission and sometimes associated with neuroinvasive infections. The circulation of these viruses is considered endemic in parts of Europe, with human cases reported in many countries. Among hosts, the viruses are vectored by hematophagous arthropods, such as mosquitoes (WNV, USUV) and ticks (TBEV). Considering the currently outdated knowledge regarding the epidemiology of these viruses in Romania, the aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence rates of WNV, USUV, and TBEV among healthy blood donors in north-western Romania. Methods: Human blood samples from healthy donors were collected between November 2019 and February 2020 in six counties from the north-western region of Romania. The samples were serologically tested by ELISA and serum neutralization test. Results: Overall, we obtained a seroprevalence of 3.17% for WNV, 0.08% for TBEV, and 0% for USUV. Conclusion: Despite the low seroprevalence of WNV, USUV, and TBEV in our study, we highlight the need for continuous nationwide vector and disease surveillance and implementation of control measures. Further research is required for an optimal overview of the epidemiological status of the Romanian population regarding these flaviviruses together with countrywide awareness campaigns.
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Severe West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Disease: Clinical Characteristics, Short- and Long-Term Outcomes. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11010052. [PMID: 35056000 PMCID: PMC8779330 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Disease (WNV NID) requires prolonged intensive care treatment, resulting in high mortality and early disability. Long-term results are lacking. We have conducted an observational retrospective study with a prospective follow-up of WNV NID patients treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia, 2013–2018. Short-term outcomes were vital status, length of stay (LOS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and disposition at discharge. Long-term outcomes were vital status and mRS at follow-up. Twenty-three patients were identified, 78.3% males, median age 72 (range 33–84) years. Two patients (8.7%) died in the ICU, with no lethal outcomes after ICU discharge. The median ICU LOS was 19 days (range 5–73), and the median hospital LOS was 34 days (range 7–97). At discharge, 15 (65.2%) patients had moderate to severe/mRS 3–5, 6 (26.0%) had slight disability/mRS 2–1, no patients were symptom-free/mRS 0. Ten (47.6%) survivors were discharged to rehabilitation facilities. The median time to follow-up was nine months (range 6–69). At follow-up, seven patients died (30.5%), five (21.7%) had moderate to severe/mRS 3–5, one (4.3%) had slight disability/mRS 2–1, six (26.1%) had no symptoms/mRS 0, and four (17.4%) were lost to follow-up. Briefly, ten (43.5%) survivors improved their functional status, one (4.3%) was unaltered, and one (4.3%) aggravated. In patients with severe WNV NID, intensive treatment in the acute phase followed by inpatient rehabilitation resulted in significant recovery of functional status after several months.
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Mencattelli G, Iapaolo F, Monaco F, Fusco G, de Martinis C, Portanti O, Di Gennaro A, Curini V, Polci A, Berjaoui S, Di Felice E, Rosà R, Rizzoli A, Savini G. West Nile Virus Lineage 1 in Italy: Newly Introduced or a Re-Occurrence of a Previously Circulating Strain? Viruses 2021; 14:v14010064. [PMID: 35062268 PMCID: PMC8780300 DOI: 10.3390/v14010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Italy, West Nile virus (WNV) appeared for the first time in the Tuscany region in 1998. After 10 years of absence, it re-appeared in the areas surrounding the Po River delta, affecting eight provinces in three regions. Thereafter, WNV epidemics caused by genetically divergent isolates have been documented every year in the country. Since 2018, only WNV Lineage 2 has been reported in the Italian territory. In October 2020, WNV Lineage 1 (WNV-L1) re-emerged in Italy, in the Campania region. This is the first occurrence of WNV-L1 detection in the Italian territory since 2017. WNV was detected in the internal organs of a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and a kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). The RNA extracted in the goshawk tissue samples was sequenced, and a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was performed by a maximum-likelihood tree. Genome analysis, conducted on the goshawk WNV complete genome sequence, indicates that the strain belongs to the WNV-L1 Western-Mediterranean (WMed) cluster. Moreover, a close phylogenetic similarity is observed between the goshawk strain, the 2008-2011 group of Italian sequences, and European strains belonging to the Wmed cluster. Our results evidence the possibility of both a new re-introduction or unnoticed silent circulation in Italy, and the strong importance of keeping the WNV surveillance system in the Italian territory active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Mencattelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
- Center Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, 38098 Trento, Italy;
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, 38098 Trento, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Federica Iapaolo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Federica Monaco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Napoli, Italy; (G.F.); (C.d.M.)
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Napoli, Italy; (G.F.); (C.d.M.)
| | - Ottavio Portanti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Annapia Di Gennaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Valentina Curini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Andrea Polci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Shadia Berjaoui
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Elisabetta Di Felice
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Roberto Rosà
- Center Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, 38098 Trento, Italy;
| | | | - Giovanni Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
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9
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Pappa S, Chaintoutis SC, Dovas CI, Papa A. PCR-based next-generation West Nile virus sequencing protocols. Mol Cell Probes 2021; 60:101774. [PMID: 34653595 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2021.101774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiology of West Nile virus (WNV) is unpredictable and changing. Availability of whole genome sequences enables the detailed molecular epidemiology studies and the evaluation and design of diagnostic tools. In the present study we provide two PCR-based protocols which can be applied directly on biological samples from hosts infected by WNV strains belonging to lineage 1 or lineage 2. It was shown that the protocols worked successfully even on samples with relatively low viral load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Styliani Pappa
- National Reference Centre for Arboviruses, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Serafeim C Chaintoutis
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chrysostomos I Dovas
- Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Papa
- National Reference Centre for Arboviruses, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Tiron GV, Stancu IG, Dinu S, Prioteasa FL, Fălcuță E, Ceianu CS, Cotar AI. Characterization and Host-Feeding Patterns of Culex pipiens s.l. Taxa in a West Nile Virus-Endemic Area in Southeastern Romania. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021; 21:713-719. [PMID: 34160283 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2020.2739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Culex pipiens sensu lato has been documented as West Nile virus (WNV) vector in southeastern Romania. Bucharest, the densely populated capital city of Romania, and the surrounding Ilfov county are WNV hotspots. In this area, the morphologically indistinguishable biotypes of Cx. pipiens, namely pipiens and molestus, are usually differentiated by their behavioral and physiological traits. Their involvement in WNV transmission, as suggested by entomological investigations, was not previously documented for each biotype. We used a Real-Time PCR assay based on CQ11 microsatellite to identify the Cx. pipiens biotypes and their hybrids collected in various habitats in the Bucharest metropolitan area. A sympatric distribution of both biotypes was observed, with a preference of green areas for pipiens, and human settings and animal farmlands for molestus. In the latter habitats, pipiens and molestus were found in mixed aboveground populations. A low number of hybrids was found suggesting existence of reproductive isolation. In subway tunnels molestus was dominant with a higher number of hybrids recorded than aboveground. Blood-engorged mosquitoes were identified to biotype and the blood meal source identified by DNA barcoding. Overall, Cx. pipiens s.l. fed mainly on birds, commonly on house sparrows, collared doves, and blackbirds, which are potential WNV-amplifying hosts. The preference for avian hosts was expressed strongest by pipiens biotype, while molestus was substantially less specific, feeding on avian and mammal hosts with similar frequency, with humans representing 20% of the hosts. Hybrids had a host choice closer to that of molestus. These findings highlight the role of pipiens biotype as enzootic/epizootic vector, and specifically show molestus as the bridge vector for WNV. The pipiens and molestus biotypes show important differences in habitat preferences, including oviposition; these findings demonstrate that targeted mosquito control to limit WNV transmission may be possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgiana Victorița Tiron
- Cantacuzino National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioana Georgeta Stancu
- Cantacuzino National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sorin Dinu
- Cantacuzino National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florian Liviu Prioteasa
- Cantacuzino National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Elena Fălcuță
- Cantacuzino National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Ani Ioana Cotar
- Cantacuzino National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania
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11
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Fiacre L, Pagès N, Albina E, Richardson J, Lecollinet S, Gonzalez G. Molecular Determinants of West Nile Virus Virulence and Pathogenesis in Vertebrate and Invertebrate Hosts. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239117. [PMID: 33266206 PMCID: PMC7731113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV), like the dengue virus (DENV) and yellow fever virus (YFV), are major arboviruses belonging to the Flavivirus genus. WNV is emerging or endemic in many countries around the world, affecting humans and other vertebrates. Since 1999, it has been considered to be a major public and veterinary health problem, causing diverse pathologies, ranging from a mild febrile state to severe neurological damage and death. WNV is transmitted in a bird–mosquito–bird cycle, and can occasionally infect humans and horses, both highly susceptible to the virus but considered dead-end hosts. Many studies have investigated the molecular determinants of WNV virulence, mainly with the ultimate objective of guiding vaccine development. Several vaccines are used in horses in different parts of the world, but there are no licensed WNV vaccines for humans, suggesting the need for greater understanding of the molecular determinants of virulence and antigenicity in different hosts. Owing to technical and economic considerations, WNV virulence factors have essentially been studied in rodent models, and the results cannot always be transported to mosquito vectors or to avian hosts. In this review, the known molecular determinants of WNV virulence, according to invertebrate (mosquitoes) or vertebrate hosts (mammalian and avian), are presented and discussed. This overview will highlight the differences and similarities found between WNV hosts and models, to provide a foundation for the prediction and anticipation of WNV re-emergence and its risk of global spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Fiacre
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97170 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, France; (N.P.); (E.A.)
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Nonito Pagès
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97170 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, France; (N.P.); (E.A.)
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Emmanuel Albina
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97170 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, France; (N.P.); (E.A.)
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Jennifer Richardson
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-1-43967376
| | - Gaëlle Gonzalez
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
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Human West Nile Meningo-Encephalitis in a Highly Endemic Country: A Complex Epidemiological Analysis on Biotic and Abiotic Risk Factors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17218250. [PMID: 33171693 PMCID: PMC7664930 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17218250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the most prevalent mosquito-borne viruses. Although the infection in humans is mostly asymptomatic, 15–20% of cases show flu-like symptoms with fever. In 1% of infections, humans develop severe nervous symptoms and even die, a condition known as West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND). The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of abiotic and biotic factors with the human WNND cases during the period 2015–2019. A database containing all the localities in Romania was developed. Abiotic and biotic predictors were included for each locality: geographic variables, climatic data, and biotic factors. Spatial distribution of the WNND infections was analyzed using directional distribution (DD). The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was employed to assess the strength of association between the WNND infections and predictors. A model was generated using the random forest ensemble learning method. A total number of 535 human WNND cases were confirmed in 308 localities. The DD showed a south-eastern geographical distribution. Weak correlation was observed between the number of human WNND cases for each year and the predictors. The highest predicted probability was around urbanized patches in the south and southeast. Increased surveillance and control measures of vectors in risk areas should be implemented and educational campaigns should be made available for the general public in order to raise awareness of the disease and inform the population about prophylactic measures.
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Contrasted Epidemiological Patterns of West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2 Infections in France from 2015 to 2019. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9110908. [PMID: 33143300 PMCID: PMC7692118 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 2015, annual West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks of varying intensities have been reported in France. Recent intensification of enzootic WNV circulation was observed in the South of France with most horse cases detected in 2015 (n = 49), 2018 (n = 13), and 2019 (n = 13). A WNV lineage 1 strain was isolated from a horse suffering from West Nile neuro-invasive disease (WNND) during the 2015 episode in the Camargue area. A breaking point in WNV epidemiology was achieved in 2018, when WNV lineage 2 emerged in Southeastern areas. This virus most probably originated from WNV spread from Northern Italy and caused WNND in humans and the death of diurnal raptors. WNV lineage 2 emergence was associated with the most important human WNV epidemics identified so far in France (n = 26, including seven WNND cases and two infections in blood and organ donors). Two other major findings were the detection of WNV in areas with no or limited history of WNV circulation (Alpes-Maritimes in 2018, Corsica in 2018–2019, and Var in 2019) and distinct spatial distribution of human and horse WNV cases. These new data reinforce the necessity to enhance French WNV surveillance to better anticipate future WNV epidemics and epizootics and to improve the safety of blood and organ donations.
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Popescu CP, Florescu SA, Ruta SM. West Nile virus in Central Europe - Pandora's box is wide open! Travel Med Infect Dis 2020; 37:101864. [PMID: 32861859 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corneliu Petru Popescu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; Dr Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Simin Aysel Florescu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; Dr Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Simona Maria Ruta
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
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Imported Human West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Infection in Spain: Neurological and Gastrointestinal Complications. Viruses 2020; 12:v12020156. [PMID: 32013149 PMCID: PMC7077332 DOI: 10.3390/v12020156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 infection imported to Spain by a traveler returning from Romania. Serum, cerebrospinal fluid and urine samples were analyzed and West Nile virus infection was identified by PCR and serological tests. The patient developed fever, diarrhea and neurological symptoms, accompanied by mild pancreatitis, described previously in very few cases as a complication of WNV infection and by alithiasic cholecystitis. Viral RNA was detected in urine until 30 days after the onset of symptoms and neutralizing antibodies were detected at very low titers. The phylogenetic analysis in a fragment of the NS5 gene of the virus showed a homology with sequences from WNV lineage 2 belonging to the monophyletic Central/Southern European group.
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16
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Comparative Pathology of West Nile Virus in Humans and Non-Human Animals. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9010048. [PMID: 31935992 PMCID: PMC7168622 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) continues to be a major cause of human arboviral neuroinvasive disease. Susceptible non-human vertebrates are particularly diverse, ranging from commonly affected birds and horses to less commonly affected species such as alligators. This review summarizes the pathology caused by West Nile virus during natural infections of humans and non-human animals. While the most well-known findings in human infection involve the central nervous system, WNV can also cause significant lesions in the heart, kidneys and eyes. Time has also revealed chronic neurologic sequelae related to prior human WNV infection. Similarly, neurologic disease is a prominent manifestation of WNV infection in most non-human non-host animals. However, in some avian species, which serve as the vertebrate host for WNV maintenance in nature, severe systemic disease can occur, with neurologic, cardiac, intestinal and renal injury leading to death. The pathology seen in experimental animal models of West Nile virus infection and knowledge gains on viral pathogenesis derived from these animal models are also briefly discussed. A gap in the current literature exists regarding the relationship between the neurotropic nature of WNV in vertebrates, virus propagation and transmission in nature. This and other knowledge gaps, and future directions for research into WNV pathology, are addressed.
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17
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Prediction of unfavorable outcomes in West Nile virus neuroinvasive infection - Result of a multinational ID-IRI study. J Clin Virol 2019; 122:104213. [PMID: 31778945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2019.104213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND WNV causes 1.4% of all central nervous system infections and is the most common cause of epidemic neuro-invasive disease in humans. OBJECTIVES Our main objective was to investigate retrospectively West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease (WNND) cases hospitalized during 2010-2017 and identified factors that can influence prognosis. STUDY DESIGN We documented the demographic, epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory data of WNND and identified factors that can influence prognosis. The data were recruited through Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI), which serves as a network for clinical researches. RESULTS We investigated 165 patients with WNND in 10 countries from three continents. 27 patients died and the mortality rate was 16.4%. In an univariate analysis age, congestive heart failure, neoplasm and ischemic heart disease (p < 0.001), neuropsychiatric disorders (p = 0.011), chronic hepatitis (p = 0.024) and hypertension (p = 0.043) were risk factors for death. Fatal evolution was also correlated with ICU addmission, disorientation, speech disorders, change in consciousnes, coma, a low Glasgow coma score, obtundation, confusion (p < 0.001), history of syncope (p = 0.002) and history of unconsciousness (p = 0.037). In a binomial logistic regresssion analysis only age and coma remained independent prediction factors for death. We created an equation that was calculated according to age, co-morbidities and clinical manifestations that may be used to establish the prognosis of WNND patients. CONCLUSIONS WNND remain an important factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide, evolution to death or survival with sequelae are not rare. Our study creates an equation that may be used in the future to establish the prognosis of WNND patients.
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18
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Vasić A, Oșlobanu LE, Marinov M, Crivei LA, Rățoi IA, Aniță A, Aniță D, Doroșencu A, Alexe V, Răileanu Ș, Simeunović P, Raileanu C, Falcuța E, Prioteasa FL, Bojkovski J, Pavlović I, Mathis A, Tews BA, Savuţa G, Veronesi E, Silaghi C. Evidence of West Nile Virus (WNV) Circulation in Wild Birds and WNV RNA Negativity in Mosquitoes of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Romania, 2016. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:tropicalmed4030116. [PMID: 31438608 PMCID: PMC6789615 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4030116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic flavivirus whose transmission cycle in nature includes wild birds as amplifying hosts and ornithophilic mosquito vectors. Bridge vectors can transmit WNV to mammal species potentially causing West Nile Fever. Wild bird migration is a mode of WNV introduction into new areas. The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) is a major stopover of wild birds migrating between Europe and Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of WNV in the DDBR during the 2016 transmission season in wild birds and mosquitoes. Blood from 68 wild birds (nine different species) trapped at four different locations was analyzed by competitive ELISA and Virus Neutralization Test (VNT), revealing positive results in 8/68 (11.8%) of the wild birds by ELISA of which six samples (three from juvenile birds) were confirmed seropositive by VNT. Mosquitoes (n = 6523, 5 genera) were trapped with CDC Mini Light traps at two locations and in one location resting mosquitoes were caught. The presence of WNV RNA was tested in 134 pools by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). None of the pools was positive for WNV-specific RNA. Based on the obtained results, WNV was circulating in the DDBR during 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Vasić
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943 Insel Riems, Germany
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Luanda Elena Oșlobanu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iaşi, Aleea Mihail Sadoveanu 3, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
| | - Mihai Marinov
- Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Strada Babadag 165, 820112 Tulcea, Romania
| | - Luciana Alexandra Crivei
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iaşi, Aleea Mihail Sadoveanu 3, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
| | - Ioana Alexandra Rățoi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iaşi, Aleea Mihail Sadoveanu 3, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
| | - Adriana Aniță
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iaşi, Aleea Mihail Sadoveanu 3, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
| | - Dragoș Aniță
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iaşi, Aleea Mihail Sadoveanu 3, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
| | - Alexandru Doroșencu
- Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Strada Babadag 165, 820112 Tulcea, Romania
| | - Vasile Alexe
- Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Strada Babadag 165, 820112 Tulcea, Romania
| | - Ștefan Răileanu
- Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Strada Babadag 165, 820112 Tulcea, Romania
| | - Predrag Simeunović
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Cristian Raileanu
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943 Insel Riems, Germany
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iaşi, Aleea Mihail Sadoveanu 3, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
| | - Elena Falcuța
- Cantacuzino National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, Splaiul Independenţei 103, 05096 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florian Liviu Prioteasa
- Cantacuzino National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, Splaiul Independenţei 103, 05096 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Jovan Bojkovski
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivan Pavlović
- Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia Belgrade, Vojvode Toze 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Alexander Mathis
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Birke Andrea Tews
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943 Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Gheorghe Savuţa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iaşi, Aleea Mihail Sadoveanu 3, 700490 Iaşi, Romania
| | - Eva Veronesi
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17943 Insel Riems, Germany.
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
- Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Domstrasse 11, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Savic V, Sabadi D, Peric L, Barbic L, Klobucar A, Miklausic B, Tabain I, Santini M, Vucelja M, Dvorski E, Butigan T, Kolaric-Sviben G, Potocnik-Hunjadi T, Balenovic M, Bogdanic M, Andric Z, Stevanovic V, Capak K, Balicevic M, Listes E, Savini G. Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of West Nile and Usutu virus infections in Croatia in the 'One health' context, 2018. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:1946-1957. [PMID: 31067011 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In 2018, Croatia reported the largest outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) infections as well as the re-occurrence of human Usutu virus (USUV) infections. For the first time, fatal WNV and USUV infections were detected in wild birds. We analysed epidemiological characteristics and molecular epidemiology of WNV and USUV infections detected during 2018 transmission season. From April to November, 178 patients with neuroinvasive disease and 68 patients with febrile disease were tested for WNV and USUV. Viral RNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine samples using a real-time RT-PCR. Positive samples were tested by nested RT-PCR and nucleotide sequencing. IgM/IgG antibodies were detected in serum/CSF samples using ELISA with confirmation of cross-reactive samples by virus neutralization test (VNT). WNV neuroinvasive disease was confirmed in 54 and WNV fever in seven patients from 10 continental Croatian counties. Areas affected in 2018 were those in which cases occurred in previous seasons, while in three areas human cases were reported for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis of six strains from patients residing in different geographic areas showed circulation of WNV lineage 2. In three patients, neuroinvasive USUV infection was confirmed by RT-PCR or VNT. Sequence analysis of one detected strain revealed USUV Europe 2 lineage. During the same period, a total of 2,574 horse and 1,069 poultry serum samples were tested for WNV antibodies using ELISA. Acute asymptomatic WNV infection (IgM antibodies) was documented in 20/0.7% horses. WNV IgG antibodies were found in 307/11.9% horses and in 125/12.7% poultry. WNV RNA was detected in two goshawks and USUV RNA was detected in one blackbird from north-western Croatia. In the Zagreb area, 3,670 female mosquitoes were collected. One Culex pipiens pool collected in July tested positive for USUV RNA. Our results highlight the importance of continuous multidisciplinary 'One health' surveillance of these emerging arboviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia.,School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Dario Sabadi
- Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.,Medical Faculty, Josip Juraj Stossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ljiljana Peric
- Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.,Medical Faculty, Josip Juraj Stossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Klobucar
- Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Bozana Miklausic
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr Fran Mihaljevic", Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Irena Tabain
- Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marija Santini
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.,University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr Fran Mihaljevic", Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Vucelja
- Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Maja Bogdanic
- Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | | | | | - Eddy Listes
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Regional Institute Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Giovanni Savini
- OIE Reference Center for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy
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Papa A. Emerging arboviruses of medical importance in the Mediterranean region. J Clin Virol 2019; 115:5-10. [PMID: 30928817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The epidemiology of viral infections transmitted by arthropods is changing due to a variety of parameters related to the virus, the host and the environment. The Mediterranean region is highly affected by changes in the intensity and extension of global-scale climate patterns, and, due to its location, it provides a vulnerable environment for emergence of arboviral diseases. The main arboviruses that pose currently a public health threat in the Mediterranean region are West Nile virus and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and, in less extend, tick-borne encephalitis virus. Usutu virus that affects mainly birds, can infect also humans, while Dengue and Chikungunya viruses showed that they are capable to cause sporadic autochthonous cases, and even outbreaks in the Mediterranean region. Sandly-transmitted viruses continue to have a public health impact, and novel ones have been identified. The presence of competent vectors (mainly mosquitoes), combined by arbovirus introduction through viremic travelers returning from endemic regions, prompt for increased surveillance to mitigate the risk for local transmission. In order to tackle efficiently and effectively the emerging arboviral diseases, an integrated "One Health initiative" is required to be maintained, involving public health, animal health and environmental authorities. Awareness of medical and veterinary staff and laboratory capacity are crucial for the early detection of pathogens, while reporting the unusual and enhance surveillance are important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece.
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