Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Melissa Kretschmer, Irene Ruberto, John Townsend, Karen Zabel, James Will, Keila Maldonado, Nicole Busser, Dan Damian, Ariella P. Dale
Summary: West Nile virus is a mosquitoborne disease that is primarily transmitted through bites of infected mosquitos. In 2021, the largest outbreak of West Nile virus in a single county in the United States occurred in Maricopa County, resulting in 1,487 human cases and 101 deaths.
MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Wasfi Fares, Mariem Gdoura, Haifa Dhrif, Henda Touzi, Nahed Hogga, Naila Hannachi, Salma Mhalla, Saoussen Kacem, Hela Karray, Souha Bougatef, Nissaf Ben-Alaya, Henda Triki
Summary: West Nile Virus has caused multiple epidemics in Tunisia, indicating frequent circulation. The 2018 epidemic strain in Tunisia is genetically close to sequences from the Mediterranean basin and Eastern Europe, distinct from the 1997 strain closely related to American sequences.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Carlos S. Casimiro-Soriguer, Javier Perez-Florido, Jose L. Fernandez-Rueda, Irene Pedrosa-Corral, Vicente Guillot-Sulay, Nicola Lorusso, Luis Javier Martinez-Gonzalez, Jose M. Navarro-Mari, Joaquin Dopazo, Sara Sanbonmatsu-Gamez
Summary: In recent decades, West Nile Virus outbreaks have been continuously occurring in the Mediterranean area. A new outbreak in August 2020 affected 71 people in Andalusia and led to eight deaths in Spain. The genomes of four viruses were analyzed and found to be similar to previous outbreaks in the Mediterranean region. The research team also established a local Nextstrain server for regional epidemiological surveillance.
Article
Immunology
Jordi Figuerola, Miguel angel Jimenez-Clavero, Maria Jose Ruiz-Lopez, Francisco Llorente, Santiago Ruiz, Andreas Hoefer, Pilar Aguilera-Sepulveda, Jessica Jimenez-Penuela, Olaya Garcia-Ruiz, Laura Herrero, Ramon C. Soriguer, Raul Fernandez Delgado, Maria Paz Sanchez-Seco, Josue Martinez-de la Puente, Ana Vazquez
Summary: Reports of West Nile virus (WNV) associated disease in humans were scarce in Spain until summer 2020 but recently there has been a significant increase in cases. The increase in human cases was preceded by a large increase in the abundance of Culex perexiguus mosquitoes in the affected areas. The first batch of WNV-infected mosquitoes was captured one month before the detection of the first human cases. Additionally, serological tests in wild birds confirmed the circulation of WNV in the affected areas, suggesting that blackbirds played an important role in the urban transmission of the virus.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emilie Giraud, Chloe Otero del Val, Celia Caillet-Saguy, Nada Zehrouni, Cecile Khou, Joel Caillet, Yves Jacob, Nathalie Pardigon, Nicolas Wolff
Summary: The study revealed that the PBM of NS5 from West Nile virus interacts with PDZ-containing proteins in human cells, playing a crucial role in viral replication. Knockdown of specific PDZ-containing proteins resulted in decreased WNV replication, highlighting the significance of these interactions in the virus life cycle.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Claudio de Martinis, Lorena Cardillo, Federica Pesce, Maurizio Viscardi, Loredana Cozzolino, Rubina Paradiso, Stefania Cavallo, Matteo De Ascentis, Maria Goffredo, Federica Monaco, Giovanni Savini, Francescantonio D'Orilia, Renato Pinto, Giovanna Fusco
Summary: West Nile virus (WNV) is a widely spread arbovirus transmitted by migratory birds. After a 10-year absence in Italy, WNV lineage 1 (WNV-L1) reappeared in 2020 in dead raptor birds and caused the first equine outbreak in the Campania region. The study suggests that WNV-L1 may have silently circulated for 2 years before causing the outbreak, highlighting the evolving epidemiology of WNV and the potential for reintroduction in previously low-risk areas.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Alanna C. Tseng, Vivek R. Nerurkar, Kabi R. Neupane, Helmut Kae, Pakieli H. Kaufusi
Summary: NS3 protein needs to cooperate with NS2B to be properly localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and exhibit enzymatic activity, and NS2B may also play an additional role in recruiting NS3. Targeting the interaction between NS2B and NS3 could be a potential avenue for antiviral drug discovery.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ignacio Garcia-Bocanegra, Juan J. Franco, Clara Leon, Jesus Barbero-Moyano, Maria Garcia-Mina, Vicente Fernandez-Molera, Maria B. Gomez, David Cano-Terriza, Moises Gonzalvez
Summary: This cross-sectional study assessed the circulation and risk factors associated with West Nile virus (WNV) exposure in equine and wild bird populations in Spain. The results showed high exposure and widespread distribution of WNV in both populations, highlighting the need for continued and improved active surveillance programs in areas at high risk of virus circulation.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Virginia Gamino, Elisa Perez-Ramirez, Ana Valeria Gutierrez-Guzman, Elena Sotelo, Francisco Llorente, Miguel Angel Jimenez-Clavero, Ursula Hofle
Summary: The West Nile virus (WNV) is a widespread flavivirus with a broad host range. A study on red-legged partridges infected with two Mediterranean WNV strains showed differences in viral load, antigen distribution, lesion nature, and severity. The strain Morocco/2003 exhibited higher neurovirulence compared to Spain/2007, possibly due to specific molecular determinants of virulence.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Mohammed Nma Mohammed, Abd Rahaman Yasmin, Mohd Adzahan Noraniza, Siti Zubaidah Ramanoon, Siti Suri Arshad, Faruku Bande, Hussni O. Mohammed
Summary: The study found a significant presence of West Nile virus antibodies in Malaysian pigs, particularly in young pigs and those from southern Malaysia. No West Nile virus RNA was detected, but one sample was positive for Japanese encephalitis virus antibodies.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Pathology
Antonio Mori, Elena Pomari, Michela Deiana, Francesca Perandin, Sara Caldrer, Fabio Formenti, Manuela Mistretta, Pierantonio Orza, Andrea Ragusa, Chiara Piubelli
Summary: Molecular technology is important in arboviruses diagnostics, with PCR-based methods standing out in terms of sensitivity and cost. While commercial diagnostic molecular assays are available, they are often not affordable for resource-limited settings and not suitable for point-of-care/point-of-need use. Improvement in current molecular assays is needed to optimize their translation to the point of care.
EXPERT REVIEW OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Peter Farago, Zsanett Fricska-Nagy, Peter Klivenyi, Janos Tajti
Summary: This case report describes a 72-year-old male patient presenting with symptoms of central nervous system inflammation and West Nile virus in the cerebrospinal fluid. During supportive treatment, severe hyponatremia of unknown cause developed, leading to the diagnosis of cerebral salt wasting syndrome through diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms.
IDEGGYOGYASZATI SZEMLE-CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Lindsey A. Parsons, Travis J. Runia, Geoffrey P. Vincent, Andrew J. Gregory, Jonathan A. Jenks
Summary: The Greater Sage-Grouse in South Dakota have limited exposure to West Nile virus (WNV), and WNV was not a significant driver of mortality in 2016 and 2017. The majority of sage-grouse in South Dakota are susceptible to WNV infection, suggesting a potential impact on the population during an epizootic event, however, when WNV is at or near endemic levels, it appears to have little impact on sage-grouse survival.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Sarah Stonedahl, J. Smith Leser, Penny Clarke, Huntington Potter, Timothy D. D. Boyd, Kenneth L. L. Tyler
Summary: West Nile virus (WNV) is the main cause of epidemic arboviral encephalitis in the United States. Depleting microglia in WNV-infected mice enhances viral replication and tissue injury, while augmenting microglial activation through GM-CSF administration reduces viral titers and apoptotic activity and increases survival. Stimulation of microglial activation may be a viable therapeutic approach for WNV neuroinvasive disease.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Juan Diego Guerra Hiraldo, Alejandro Fuerte-Hortigon, Ana Dominguez-Mayoral, Sandra De la Rosa Riestra, Zaira R. Palacios-Baena, Felix Sanchez Fernandez, Rocio Lopez Ruiz, Diego Pascual-Vaca, Carmen Menendez de Leon, Rafael Jimenez Hurtado, Sara Sanbonmatsu-Gamez
Summary: The 2020-21 West Nile Virus outbreak in Andalusia, Spain, was the largest reported in the country, with eight cases of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease diagnosed in a tertiary hospital. Diagnosis and treatment of the disease present challenges, and the spread of the virus is influenced by climate change. It is crucial for physicians to be knowledgeable about the disease and implement effective control measures.
JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
