West Nile virus - a new infection in the Slovak Republic?
Language English Country Czech Republic Media print
Document type Journal Article
PubMed
30817874
DOI
10.21101/cejph.a5287
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- West Nile virus, mosquitoes, seroprevalence,
- MeSH
- Culicidae MeSH
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay MeSH
- Antibodies, Viral MeSH
- Seroepidemiologic Studies MeSH
- West Nile virus isolation & purification MeSH
- West Nile Fever diagnosis epidemiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Slovakia epidemiology MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Antibodies, Viral MeSH
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) among the variable population of Eastern Slovakia. METHODS: A serologic survey was conducted using 464 serum samples. The basic demographic, epidemiologic and clinical information was obtained for each serum sample at the time of specimen collection. The presence of antibodies against WNV was investigated using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All the ELISA positive samples were further analysed by a neutralization test with WNV and Usutu virus. RESULTS: Three serum samples (0.65%) from the participants (N = 464) were considered positive for antibodies to WNV. A 29-year-old female was repeatedly exposed to mosquito bites working as a shepherdess and participating in many outdoor activities. Two other females (61 and 76 years old) were treated at the Department of Neurology due to monoparesis of the upper extremity, vertigo; both had a significant epidemiological history with frequent tick and mosquito bites and stay in an endemic region. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no evidence of WNV infection in the Slovak Republic, the epidemiological situation in the neighbouring countries warrants vigilance and appropriate measures, including the introduction of specific diagnostic tools into clinical practice. The constant monitoring of birds and mosquitoes also seems necessary.
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