Τίτλος:
Population Seroprevalence Study after a West Nile Virus Lineage 2
Epidemic, Greece, 2010
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
Introduction: During summer 2010, 262 human cases including 35 deaths
from West Nile virus (WNV) infection were reported from Central
Macedonia, Greece. Evidence from mosquitoes, birds and blood donors
demonstrated that the epidemic was caused by WNV lineage 2, which until
recently was considered of low virulence. We conducted a household
seroprevalence study to estimate the spread of infection in the
population during the epidemic, ascertain the relationship of infection
to clinical disease, and identify risk factors for infection.
Methods: We used a two-stage cluster design to select a random sample of
residents aged >= 18 years in the outbreak epicentre. We collected
demographic, medical, and risk factor data using standard questionnaires
and environmental checklists, and tested serum samples for presence of
WNV IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA.
Results: Overall, 723 individuals participated in the study, and 644
blood samples were available. Weighted seropositivity for IgG antibodies
was 5.8% (95% CI: 3.8-8.6; n=41). We estimated that about 1 in 130 (1:
141 to 1: 124) infected individuals developed WNV neuroinvasive disease,
and approximately 18% had clinical manifestations attributable to their
infection. Risk factors for infection reflected high exposure to
mosquitoes; rural residents were particularly at risk (prevalence ratio:
8.2, 95% CI: 1.1-58.7).
Discussion: This study adds to the evidence that WNV lineage 2 strains
can cause significant illness, demonstrating ratios of infection to
clinical disease similar to those found previously for WNV lineage 1.
Συγγραφείς:
Ladbury, Georgia A. F.
Gavana, Magda
Danis, Kostas
Papa,
Anna
Papamichail, Dimitris
Mourelatos, Spiros
Gewehr, Sandra
and Theocharopoulos, George
Bonovas, Stefanos
Benos, Alexis and
Panagiotopoulos, Takis
Εκδότης:
Public Library of Science
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0080432
