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Showing posts with the label West Nile Virus

Re-Emergence of #Usutu Virus and Spreading of #WestNile Virus #Neuroinvasive Infections During the 2024 Transmission Season in #Croatia

Abstract Neuroinvasive arboviruses such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and Toscana virus (TOSV) have (re-)emerged with increasing incidence and geographic range . We analyzed the epidemiology of arboviral infections in Croatia during the 2024 transmission season. A total of 154 patients with neuroinvasive diseases (NID), 1596 horses , 69 dead birds , and 7726 mosquitoes were tested. Viral RNA was detected using RT-qPCR. IgM/IgG-specific antibodies were detected using commercial ELISA or IFA, with confirmation of cross-reactive samples by virus neutralization test. RT-qPCR-positive samples were Sanger sequenced. Arboviral etiology was confirmed in 33/21.42% of patients with NID. WNV was most frequently detected (17/11.03%), followed by TBEV (10/6.49%), USUV (5/3.24%), and TOSV (1/0.64%). WNV infections were reported in regions previously known as endemic, while in one continental county, WNV was recorded for the first time. USUV infec...

Serologic #Surveillance for #Orthoflaviviruses and #Chikungunya Virus in #Bats and #Opossums in #Chiapas, #Mexico

Abstract We performed serologic surveillance for selected arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) in bats and opossums in the Lacandona Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico , in 2023–2024. Sera were collected from 94 bats of at least 15 species and 43 opossums of three species. The sera were assayed by the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for antibodies to eight orthoflaviviruses ( dengue viruses 1–4, St. Louis encephalitis virus , T’Ho virus, West Nile virus, and Zika virus ) and one alphavirus (chikungunya virus; CHIKV). Twelve (12.8%) bats and 15 (34.9%) opossums contained orthoflavivirus-specific antibodies . One bat (a Jamaican fruit bat) was seropositive for Zika virus , and 11 bats contained antibodies to an undetermined orthoflavivirus , as did the 15 opossums. All bats and most opossums seropositive for an undetermined orthoflavivirus had low PRNT titers, possibly because they had been infected with another (perhaps unrecognized) orthoflavivirus not included in the PRNTs. Anti...

Prevalence, clinical #management, and #outcomes of #adults hospitalised with endemic #arbovirus illness in southeast #Europe (MERMAIDS-ARBO): a prospective observational study

Summary Background Arboviruses have expanded into new regions in Europe , yet data indicate gaps in disease notifications and a risk of further spread. We aimed to report on prevalence, clinical management, and outcomes of endemic arbovirus infections in southeast Europe. Methods In this prospective observational study (MERMAIDS-ARBO), we enrolled adults (age ≥18 years) hospitalised with an arbovirus-compatible disease syndrome within 21 days of symptom onset across 21 hospitals in seven countries in southeast Europe over four arbovirus seasons (May 1–Oct 31, during 2016–19). We obtained data from case report forms completed by site investigators on admission and discharge. Participants were excluded if they had non-infectious CNS disorders, symptoms of another confirmed cause, an identified focal source of infection, or symptoms caused by recurrence of a pre-existing condition. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with confirmed or probable acute infections with West...