Detection of specific antibodies against West Nile and Usutu viruses in healthy blood donors in northern Italy, 2010-2011

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2013 Oct;19(10):E451-3. doi: 10.1111/1469-0691.12241. Epub 2013 May 10.

Abstract

Neutralizing antibodies against West Nile (WNV) and Usutu (USUV) viruses were measured in 6000 samples collected, between 1 September 2010 and 30 June 2011, from blood donors living in different districts of Emilia-Romagna, northeastern Italy. On the basis of the microneutralization assay (MNTA), 47 (0.78%) subjects were positive for WNV and 14 (0.23%) for USUV. These results were compared with those obtained 2 years ago and suggest an increased circulation of USUV among humans in Emilia-Romagna.

Keywords: Blood donors; Italy; Usutu virus; West Nile virus; seroprevalence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Blood Donors / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Flavivirus / immunology*
  • Flavivirus / isolation & purification
  • Flavivirus Infections / blood*
  • Flavivirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Flavivirus Infections / immunology
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • West Nile Fever / blood*
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
  • West Nile Fever / immunology
  • West Nile virus / immunology*
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral