Seroprevalence Rates against West Nile, Usutu, and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Viruses in Blood-Donors from North-Western Romania

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 4;19(13):8182. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19138182.

Abstract

Introduction: West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are all arboviruses belonging to Flaviviridae family. All are characterized by vectorial transmission and sometimes associated with neuroinvasive infections. The circulation of these viruses is considered endemic in parts of Europe, with human cases reported in many countries. Among hosts, the viruses are vectored by hematophagous arthropods, such as mosquitoes (WNV, USUV) and ticks (TBEV). Considering the currently outdated knowledge regarding the epidemiology of these viruses in Romania, the aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence rates of WNV, USUV, and TBEV among healthy blood donors in north-western Romania.

Methods: Human blood samples from healthy donors were collected between November 2019 and February 2020 in six counties from the north-western region of Romania. The samples were serologically tested by ELISA and serum neutralization test.

Results: Overall, we obtained a seroprevalence of 3.17% for WNV, 0.08% for TBEV, and 0% for USUV.

Conclusion: Despite the low seroprevalence of WNV, USUV, and TBEV in our study, we highlight the need for continuous nationwide vector and disease surveillance and implementation of control measures. Further research is required for an optimal overview of the epidemiological status of the Romanian population regarding these flaviviruses together with countrywide awareness campaigns.

Keywords: Usutu virus; West Nile virus; arboviruses; public health; tick-borne encephalitis virus; vector-borne diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Blood Donors
  • Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne
  • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne* / epidemiology
  • Flavivirus
  • Flavivirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Mosquito Vectors
  • RNA Virus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Romania / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
  • West Nile virus

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral

Supplementary concepts

  • Usutu virus

Grants and funding

This study was performed under the framework of the VectExcel project “Multidisciplinary One Health excellence research platform for neglected and emerging vector-borne diseases”, Project Number 57 PCCDI/2018, Grant agency the Executive Unit for Funding Higher Education and University Scientific Research (UEFISCSU), Romania.