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A seroprevalence study of west nile virus infection in solid organ transplant recipients

Deepali Kumar1, Michael A Drebot, Susan J Wong

  • 1The Immunocompromised Host Infection Service, Multi-organ Transplant and Infectious Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2N2. deepali.kumar@uhn.on.ca

American Journal of Transplantation : Official Journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons
|October 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

West Nile virus (WNV) poses a higher risk of severe meningoencephalitis in immunosuppressed transplant patients. Public health awareness and protective measure compliance remain low in this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • West Nile virus (WNV) typically causes mild illness, but severe neurological disease, including meningoencephalitis, can occur.
  • Immunosuppressed individuals, such as organ transplant recipients, may be at increased risk for severe WNV-related neurological complications.
  • A WNV outbreak in 2002 prompted an investigation into disease spectrum and prevention behaviors in transplant recipients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in organ transplant recipients.
  • To assess the risk of WNV-induced meningoencephalitis in this immunosuppressed population.
  • To evaluate transplant recipients' knowledge and use of protective measures against WNV.

Main Methods:

  • A seroprevalence study was conducted in October 2002, enrolling 816 organ transplant patients from outpatient clinics.
  • Sera were screened for WNV IgM antibodies.
  • Questionnaires assessed WNV knowledge and protective behaviors; data were extrapolated to the broader transplant population.

Main Results:

  • The WNV IgM seroprevalence was 0.25% (2/816) in the studied cohort.
  • Extrapolation suggested a 40% risk of meningoencephalitis for WNV-infected transplant recipients.
  • Only 47% of patients used any protective measure, and 33% used insect repellent.

Conclusions:

  • Transplant recipients face a significantly elevated risk of WNV meningoencephalitis compared to the general population.
  • Incomplete knowledge and poor adherence to preventive measures highlight a critical public health gap.
  • Targeted interventions are needed to improve WNV prevention awareness and practices in transplant recipients.

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