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Crivei LA, Vata A, Teodor D, Porea D, Cozma AP, Anita A, Oslobanu LE, Morosan S, Savuta G. An Assessment of West Nile and Usutu Viruses' Seroprevalence in Hospitalized Patients: A Preliminary Study on Flavivirus Exposure in Eastern Romania. Pathogens 2024; 13:133. [PMID: 38392871 PMCID: PMC10892458 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
WNV and USUV are closely related epornitic flaviviruses transmitted by Culex mosquitoes which can cause febrile and neurodegenerative disease in humans. The impact of both viruses on public health has increased in the recent decades. AIM The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of WNV and USUV in hospitalized patients from eastern Romania who did not show symptoms corresponding to the case definition. METHODS Human blood samples from the hospitalized patients were collected in 2015 and from April to September 2019 in Iasi County, Romania. The samples were screened by ELISA for anti-WNV IgG, IgM, and anti-USUV IgG antibodies. RESULTS A cumulative seroprevalence of 3.4% was recorded for anti-WNV IgG antibodies and 9.1% for anti-WNV IgM. No sample was positive for anti-USUV antibodies. CONCLUSION The cumulative seroprevalence observed provides support for the consideration of WNV as being endemic in the east of Romania. The absence of anti-USUV antibodies may be related to cross-reactivity and cohort size, thus, USUV should be considered in clinical practice and become an objective for active surveillance in Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Alexandra Crivei
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania; (D.P.); (A.A.); (L.E.O.); (G.S.)
| | - Andrei Vata
- “Sf. Parascheva” Infectious Diseases Hospital of Iasi, 700490 Iasi, Romania; (A.V.); (D.T.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Danut Teodor
- “Sf. Parascheva” Infectious Diseases Hospital of Iasi, 700490 Iasi, Romania; (A.V.); (D.T.)
| | - Daniela Porea
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania; (D.P.); (A.A.); (L.E.O.); (G.S.)
- Laboratories and Research Stations Department, Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, 820112 Tulcea, Romania
| | - Andreea Paula Cozma
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania; (A.P.C.); (S.M.)
| | - Adriana Anita
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania; (D.P.); (A.A.); (L.E.O.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania; (A.P.C.); (S.M.)
| | - Luanda Elena Oslobanu
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania; (D.P.); (A.A.); (L.E.O.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania; (A.P.C.); (S.M.)
| | - Serban Morosan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania; (A.P.C.); (S.M.)
- Faculté de Médecine, Sorbonne Université, UMS 28, Inserm, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Gheorghe Savuta
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania; (D.P.); (A.A.); (L.E.O.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iași University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania; (A.P.C.); (S.M.)
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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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Rakotomalala FA, Bouillin J, Randriarimanana SD, Thaurignac G, Maharavo L, Raberahona M, Razafindrakoto L, Rasoanarivo J, Rakoto-Andrianarivelo M, Rakoto DAD, Babin FX, Rasamoelina T, Delaporte E, Samison LH, Peeters M, Nerrienet E, Ayouba A. High Seroprevalence of IgG Antibodies to Multiple Arboviruses in People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Madagascar. Viruses 2023; 15:2258. [PMID: 38005934 PMCID: PMC10674502 DOI: 10.3390/v15112258] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
To estimate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against six arboviruses in people living with HIV-1 (PLWHIV) in Madagascar, we tested samples collected between January 2018 and June 2021. We used a Luminex-based serological assay to detect IgG antibodies against antigens from Dengue virus serotypes 1-4 (DENV1-4), Zika virus (ZIKV), West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and O'nyong nyong virus (ONNV). Of the 1036 samples tested, IgG antibody prevalence was highest for ONNV (28.4%), CHIKV (26.7%), WNV-NS1 (27.1%), DENV1 (12.4%), USUV (9.9%), and DENV3 (8.9%). ZIKV (4.9%), DENV2 (4.6%), WNV-D3 (5.1%), and DENV4 (1.4%) were lower. These rates varied by province of origin, with the highest rates observed in Toamasina, on the eastern coast (50.5% and 56.8%, for CHIKV and ONNV, respectively). The seroprevalence increased with age for DENV1 and 3 (p = 0.006 and 0.038, respectively) and WNV DIII (p = 0.041). The prevalence of IgG antibodies against any given arborvirus varied over the year and significantly correlated with rainfalls in the different areas (r = 0.61, p = 0.036). Finally, we found a significant correlation between the seroprevalence of antibodies against CHIKV and ONNV and the HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load. Thus, PLWHIV in Madagascar are highly exposed to various arboviruses. Further studies are needed to explain some of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fetra Angelot Rakotomalala
- Centre d’Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (F.A.R.); (S.D.R.); (L.M.); (M.R.-A.); (T.R.); (L.H.S.)
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France; (J.B.); (G.T.); (E.D.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Doctorale Sciences de la Vie et de l’Environnement, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar;
| | - Julie Bouillin
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France; (J.B.); (G.T.); (E.D.); (M.P.)
| | - Santatriniaina Dauphin Randriarimanana
- Centre d’Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (F.A.R.); (S.D.R.); (L.M.); (M.R.-A.); (T.R.); (L.H.S.)
| | - Guillaume Thaurignac
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France; (J.B.); (G.T.); (E.D.); (M.P.)
| | - Luca Maharavo
- Centre d’Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (F.A.R.); (S.D.R.); (L.M.); (M.R.-A.); (T.R.); (L.H.S.)
- Ecole Doctorale Sciences de la Vie et de l’Environnement, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar;
| | - Mihaja Raberahona
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses, Centre Hôspitalier Universitaire Joseph Raseta de Befelatanana, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar;
| | - Lucien Razafindrakoto
- Service de Pneumo-Phtisiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Analakininina, Toamasina 501, Madagascar;
| | - Jasmina Rasoanarivo
- Secrétariat Exécutif du Comité National de la Lutte Contre le SIDA, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar;
| | - Mala Rakoto-Andrianarivelo
- Centre d’Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (F.A.R.); (S.D.R.); (L.M.); (M.R.-A.); (T.R.); (L.H.S.)
| | - Danielle Aurore Doll Rakoto
- Ecole Doctorale Sciences de la Vie et de l’Environnement, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar;
| | | | - Tahinamandranto Rasamoelina
- Centre d’Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (F.A.R.); (S.D.R.); (L.M.); (M.R.-A.); (T.R.); (L.H.S.)
| | - Eric Delaporte
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France; (J.B.); (G.T.); (E.D.); (M.P.)
| | - Luc Hervé Samison
- Centre d’Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (F.A.R.); (S.D.R.); (L.M.); (M.R.-A.); (T.R.); (L.H.S.)
| | - Martine Peeters
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France; (J.B.); (G.T.); (E.D.); (M.P.)
| | | | - Ahidjo Ayouba
- TransVIHMI, University of Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France; (J.B.); (G.T.); (E.D.); (M.P.)
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Soto A, De Coninck L, Devlies AS, Van De Wiele C, Rosales Rosas AL, Wang L, Matthijnssens J, Delang L. Belgian Culex pipiens pipiens are competent vectors for West Nile virus while Culex modestus are competent vectors for Usutu virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011649. [PMID: 37729233 PMCID: PMC10545110 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are emerging arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) in Europe transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. In Belgium, it is currently unknown which Culex species are competent vectors for WNV or USUV and if these mosquitoes carry Wolbachia, an endosymbiotic bacterium that can block arbovirus transmission. The aims of our study were to measure the vector competence of Belgian Culex mosquitoes to WNV and USUV and determine if a naturally acquired Wolbachia infection can influence virus transmission. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Female Culex mosquitoes were captured from urban and peri-urban sites in Leuven, Belgium and offered an infectious bloodmeal containing WNV lineage 2, USUV European (EU) lineage 3, or USUV African (AF) lineage 3. Blood-fed females were incubated for 14 days at 25°C after which the body, head, and saliva were collected to measure infection, dissemination, and transmission rates as well as transmission efficiency. Mosquito species were identified by qRT-PCR or Sanger sequencing, the presence of infectious virus in mosquitoes was confirmed by plaque assays, and viral genome copies were quantified by qRT-PCR. Culex pipiens pipiens were able to transmit WNV (4.3% transmission efficiency, n = 2/47) but not USUV (EU lineage: n = 0/56; AF lineage: n = 0/37). In contrast, Culex modestus were able to transmit USUV (AF lineage: 20% transmission efficiency, n = 1/5) but not WNV (n = 0/6). We found that the presence or absence of Wolbachia was species-dependent and did not associate with virus transmission. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This is the first report that Belgian Culex mosquitoes can transmit both WNV and USUV, forewarning the risk of human transmission. More research is needed to understand the potential influence of Wolbachia on arbovirus transmission in Culex modestus mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Soto
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lander De Coninck
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ann-Sophie Devlies
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Celine Van De Wiele
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ana Lucia Rosales Rosas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lanjiao Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle Matthijnssens
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Delang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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