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PloS One 2022In Hungary, West Nile virus (WNV) has been responsible for 459 laboratory confirmed human cases between 2004 and 2019, while the first human Usutu virus (USUV) infection...
In Hungary, West Nile virus (WNV) has been responsible for 459 laboratory confirmed human cases between 2004 and 2019, while the first human Usutu virus (USUV) infection was confirmed only in 2018. A comprehensive serosurvey was conducted among blood donors to assess the WNV and USUV seroprevalence in 2019, one year after the largest European WNV epidemic. Altogether, 3005 plasma samples were collected and screened for WNV and USUV specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All reactive samples were further tested for tick-borne encephalitis virus IgG antibodies by ELISA. Indirect immunofluorescence test and microneutralization assay were used as confirmatory methods. Overall, the WNV seroprevalence was 4.32%, and in five blood donors USUV seropositivity was confirmed. The highest seroprevalence was measured in Central, Eastern and Southern Hungary, while the Western part of the country proved to be less affected. There was a statistically strong association between the WNV seroprevalence of 2019 and the cumulative incidence in the period of 2004 and 2019 calculated for every NUTS 3 region. The last WNV serological screening was performed in 2016 and the prevalence of anti-WNV IgG proved to be 2.19%. One year after the 2018 WNV outbreak, a significant increase in seroprevalence was observed in the Hungarian population and evidence for USUV seropositivity was also obtained. The spatial pattern of seroprevalence can support the identification of high-risk areas raising awareness of the need for increased surveillance, such as screening vector, equine, and avian populations. The communication with general practitioners and other professionals in primary health care services can support the early identification of acute human cases. Education and awareness-raising on the importance of protection against mosquito vectors amongst residents are also important parts of preventive measures.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Blood Donors; Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Flavivirus; Horses; Humans; Hungary; Immunoglobulin G; Seroepidemiologic Studies; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus
PubMed: 35395048
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266840 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Apr 2020We detected West Nile virus (WNV) nucleic acid in crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Zambia. Phylogenetically, the virus belonged to lineage 1a, which is predominant...
We detected West Nile virus (WNV) nucleic acid in crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Zambia. Phylogenetically, the virus belonged to lineage 1a, which is predominant in the Northern Hemisphere. These data provide evidence that WNV is circulating in crocodiles in Africa and increases the risk for animal and human transmission.
Topics: Alligators and Crocodiles; Animals; Humans; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus; Zambia
PubMed: 32187004
DOI: 10.3201/eid2604.190954 -
Viruses Aug 2022Flavivirus infections, such as those caused by dengue and West Nile viruses, emerge as new challenges for the global healthcare sector. It has been found that these two...
Flavivirus infections, such as those caused by dengue and West Nile viruses, emerge as new challenges for the global healthcare sector. It has been found that these two viruses encode ion channels collectively termed viroporins. Therefore, drug molecules that block such ion-channel activity can serve as potential antiviral agents and may play a primary role in therapeutic purposes. We screened 2839 FDA-approved drugs and compounds in advanced experimental phases using three bacteria-based channel assays to identify such ion channel blockers. We primarily followed a negative genetic screen in which the channel is harmful to the bacteria due to excessive membrane permeabilization that can be relieved by a blocker. Subsequently, we cross-checked the outcome with a positive genetic screen and a pH-dependent assay. The following drugs exhibited potential blocker activities: plerixafor, streptomycin, tranexamic acid, CI-1040, glecaprevir, kasugamycin, and mesna were effective against dengue virus DP1. In contrast, idasanutlin, benzbromarone, 5-azacytidine, and plerixafor were effective against West Nile Virus MgM. These drugs can serve as future antiviral therapeutic agents following subsequent in vitro and in vivo efficacy studies.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Dengue; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization; Heterocyclic Compounds; Humans; Viroporin Proteins; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus
PubMed: 36016372
DOI: 10.3390/v14081750 -
Viruses Apr 2022Among emerging arthropod-borne viruses (arbovirus), West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus that can be associated with severe neuroinvasive infections in humans. In 2018,...
Among emerging arthropod-borne viruses (arbovirus), West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus that can be associated with severe neuroinvasive infections in humans. In 2018, the European WNV epidemic resulted in over 2000 cases, representing the most important arboviral epidemic in the European continent. Characterization of inflammation and neuronal biomarkers released during WNV infection, especially in the context of neuronal impairments, could provide insight into the development of predictive tools that could be beneficial for patient outcomes. We first analyzed the inflammatory signature in the serum of WNV-infected mice and found increased concentrations of several inflammatory cytokines. We next analyzed serum and cerebrospinal-fluid (CSF) samples from a cohort of patients infected by WNV between 2018 and 2019 in Hungary to quantify a large panel of inflammatory cytokines and neurological factors. We found higher levels of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL4, IL6, and IL10) and neuronal factors (e.g., BDNF, GFAP, MIF, TDP-43) in the sera of WNV-infected patients with neuroinvasive disease. Furthermore, the serum inflammatory profile of these patients persisted for several weeks after initial infection, potentially leading to long-term sequelae and having a deleterious effect on brain neurovasculature. This work suggests that early signs of increased serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and neuronal factors could be a signature underlying the development of severe neurological impairments. Biomarkers could play an important role in patient monitoring to improve care and prevent undesirable outcomes.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Cytokines; Humans; Mice; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus
PubMed: 35458486
DOI: 10.3390/v14040756 -
Radiologia 2022The West Nile virus (WNV) is an arbovirus than can infect human beings and cause severe neuroinvasive disease. Taking the outbreak that occurred in Spain in 2020 as a... (Review)
Review
The West Nile virus (WNV) is an arbovirus than can infect human beings and cause severe neuroinvasive disease. Taking the outbreak that occurred in Spain in 2020 as a reference, this article reviews the clinical and imaging findings for neuroinvasive disease due to WNV. We collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging (CT and MRI) variables for 30 patients with WNV infection diagnosed at our center. The main clinical findings were fever, headache, and altered levels of consciousness. Neuroimaging studies, especially MRI, are very useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients. The most common imaging findings were foci of increased signal intensity in the thalamus and brainstem in T2-weighted sequences; we illustrate these findings in cases from our hospital.
Topics: Hospitals; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuroimaging; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus
PubMed: 36243447
DOI: 10.1016/j.rxeng.2021.06.007 -
Viruses Nov 2022West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging pathogen in Hungary, causing severe outbreaks in equines and humans since 2007. The aim of our study was to provide a comprehensive...
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging pathogen in Hungary, causing severe outbreaks in equines and humans since 2007. The aim of our study was to provide a comprehensive report on the clinical signs of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) in horses in Hungary. Clinical details of 124 confirmed equine WNND cases were collected between 2007 and 2019. Data about the seasonal and geographical presentation, demographic data, clinical signs, treatment protocols, and disease progression were evaluated. Starting from an initial case originating from the area of possible virus introduction by migratory birds, the whole country became endemic with WNV over the subsequent 12 years. The transmission season did not expand significantly during the data collection period, but vaccination protocols should be always reviewed according to the recent observations. There was not any considerable relationship between the occurrence of WNND and age, breed, or gender. Ataxia was by far the most common neurologic sign related to the disease, but weakness, behavioral changes, and muscle fasciculation appeared frequently. Apart from recumbency combined with inappetence, no other clinical sign or treatment regime correlated with survival. The survival rate showed a moderate increase throughout the years, possibly due to the increased awareness of practitioners.
Topics: Humans; Horses; Animals; West Nile Fever; Hungary; West Nile virus; Horse Diseases; Disease Outbreaks
PubMed: 36423160
DOI: 10.3390/v14112551 -
Viruses May 2022West Nile virus (WNV) infections were first detected in Germany in 2018, but information about WNV seroprevalence in horses is limited. The study's overall goal was to...
West Nile virus (WNV) infections were first detected in Germany in 2018, but information about WNV seroprevalence in horses is limited. The study's overall goal was to gather information that would help veterinarians, horse owners, and veterinary-, and public health- authorities understand the spread of WNV in Germany and direct protective measures. For this purpose, WNV seroprevalence was determined in counties with and without previously registered WNV infections in horses, and risk factors for seropositivity were estimated. The cohort consisted of privately owned horses from nine counties in Eastern Germany. A total of 940 serum samples was tested by competitive panflavivirus ELISA (cELISA), and reactive samples were further tested by WNV IgM capture ELISA and confirmed by virus neutralization test (VNT). Information about potential risk factors was recorded by questionnaire and analyzed by logistic regression. A total of 106 serum samples showed antibodies against flaviviruses by cELISA, of which six tested positive for WNV IgM. The VNT verified a WNV infection for 54 samples (50.9%), while 35 sera neutralized tick-borne encephalitis virus (33.0%), and eight sera neutralized Usutu virus (7.5%). Hence, seroprevalence for WNV infection was 5.8% on average and was significantly higher in counties with previously registered infections ( = 0.005). The risk factor analysis showed breed type (pony), housing in counties with previously registered infections, housing type (24 h turn-out), and presence of outdoor shelter as the main significant risk factors for seropositivity. In conclusion, we estimated the extent of WNV infection in the resident horse population in Eastern Germany and showed that seroprevalence was higher in counties with previously registered equine WNV infections.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Horse Diseases; Horses; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus
PubMed: 35746662
DOI: 10.3390/v14061191 -
The Indian Journal of Medical Research Jul 2021West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne single-stranded RNA neurotropic virus within the family Flaviviridae. The virus was first reported in the West Nile province of... (Review)
Review
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne single-stranded RNA neurotropic virus within the family Flaviviridae. The virus was first reported in the West Nile province of Uganda in 1937. Since then, sporadic cases have been reported until the last two decades when it has emerged as a threat to public health. The emergence of WNV with more severity in recent times is intriguing. Considering this phenomenon, the WNV-affected areas of the world were distinguished as old versus new in a depicted world map. The present review showcases the historical and epidemiological perspectives of the virus, genetic diversity of prevailing lineages and clinical spectrum associated with its infection. Emergence of the virus has been discussed in special context to India because of co-circulation of different WNV lineages/strains along with other flaviviruses. Recent laboratory diagnostics, vaccine development and clinical management associated with WNV infection have also been discussed. Further, the research gaps, especially in context to India have been highlighted that may have a pivotal role in combating the spread of WNV.
Topics: Animals; Culicidae; Flavivirus; Humans; India; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus
PubMed: 34782529
DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_642_19 -
Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2023Usutu (USUV) and West Nile (WNV) viruses are two closely related belonging to Japanese encephalitis virus serogroup. Evidence of increased circulation of these two...
Usutu (USUV) and West Nile (WNV) viruses are two closely related belonging to Japanese encephalitis virus serogroup. Evidence of increased circulation of these two arboviruses now exist in Europe. Neurological disorders are reported in humans mainly for WNV, despite the fact that the interaction and effects of viral infections on the neurovasculature are poorly described, notably for USUV. Using a human blood-brain barrier (BBB) and a mouse model, this study characterizes and compares the cerebral endothelial cell permissiveness, innate immunity and inflammatory responses and immune cell recruitment during infection by USUV and WNV. Both viruses are able to infect and cross the human BBB but with different consequences. We observed that WNV infects BBB cells resulting in significant endothelium impairment, potent neuroinflammation and immune cell recruitment, in agreement with previous studies. USUV, despite being able to infect BBB cells with higher replication rate than WNV, does not strongly affect endothelium integrity. Importantly, USUV also induces neuroinflammation, immune cell recruitment such as T lymphocytes, monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) and was able to infect dendritic cells (DCs) more efficiently compared to WNV, with greater propensity for BBB recruitment. DCs may have differential roles for neuroinvasion of the two related viruses.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; West Nile virus; West Nile Fever; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Blood-Brain Barrier; Flavivirus
PubMed: 36495563
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2156815 -
Viruses Oct 2022In the last three decades, several flaviviruses of concern that belong to different antigenic groups have expanded geographically. This has resulted in the presence of... (Review)
Review
In the last three decades, several flaviviruses of concern that belong to different antigenic groups have expanded geographically. This has resulted in the presence of often more than one virus from a single antigenic group in some areas, while in Europe, Africa and Australia, additionally, multiple viruses belonging to the Japanese encephalitis (JE) serogroup co-circulate. Morphological heterogeneity of flaviviruses dictates antibody recognition and affects virus neutralization, which influences infection control. The latter is further impacted by sequential infections involving diverse flaviviruses co-circulating within a region and their cross-reactivity. The ensuing complex molecular virus-host interplay leads to either cross-protection or disease enhancement; however, the molecular determinants and mechanisms driving these outcomes are unclear. In this review, we provide an overview of the epidemiology of four JE serocomplex viruses, parameters affecting flaviviral heterogeneity and antibody recognition, host immune responses and the current knowledge of the cross-reactivity involving JE serocomplex flaviviruses that leads to differential clinical outcomes, which may inform future preventative and therapeutic interventions.
Topics: Humans; Encephalitis Viruses, Japanese; Encephalitis, Japanese; Flavivirus; Cross Reactions; Europe; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese; Antibodies, Viral; West Nile virus
PubMed: 36298768
DOI: 10.3390/v14102213