West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in the Greek Population in 2013: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

PLoS One. 2015 Nov 25;10(11):e0143803. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143803. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) disease were recorded for three consecutive years in Greece following the year 2010 outbreak. A cross-sectional serologic survey was conducted to estimate the WNV seroprevalence and assess the ratio of infection to neuroinvasive disease. A stratified left-over sampling methodology was used including age and residence strata. A total of 3,962 serum samples was collected and tested for WNV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All positive samples were further tested by Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) and WNV Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. WNV IgG antibodies were detected in 82 samples and 61 were also positive in PRNT representing a weighted seroprevalence of 2.1% (95% C.I.: 1.7-2.6) and 1.5% (95% C.I.: 1.2-2.0), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that seroprevalence was associated with age and residence. The overall ratio of neuroinvasive disease to infected persons was estimated at 1:376 (95% C.I.: 1:421-1:338), while the elderly people had the highest ratio. This nationwide study provided valuable data regarding the epidemiology of WNV in Greece based on the fact that elderly people have higher risk of being both infected and having severe disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Geography
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • West Nile Fever / diagnosis
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology*
  • West Nile Fever / immunology*
  • West Nile Fever / virology
  • West Nile virus / immunology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G

Grants and funding

The study was conducted in the context of the integrated surveillance and control program for West Nile Virus and malaria in Greece (MALWEST Project) which is implemented through the Operational Program entitled “Human Resources Development of National Strategic Reference Framework” (NSRF) 2007–2013. The program is co-funded by Greece and the European Union—European Regional Development Fund.