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Detection of West Nile virus genome and specific antibodies in Iranian encephalitis patients

S Chinikar1, A Javadi, B Ataei

  • 1Laboratory of Arboviruses and Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.

Epidemiology and Infection
|October 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

West Nile virus (WNV) fever prevalence is low in Iranian patients with encephalitis. This study found insect bites and blood transfusions were risk factors for WNV infection.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus with a broad host range, including birds, horses, and humans.
  • Most WNV infections are asymptomatic, with neuroinvasive disease (encephalitis, meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis) occurring in less than 1% of cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of West Nile virus infection among patients presenting with fever and loss of consciousness in Isfahan, Iran.
  • To identify potential risk factors associated with WNV infection in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 632 patients with fever and loss of consciousness from January 2008 to June 2009.
  • Exclusion of patients with meningitis based on initial CSF analysis; remaining samples tested for WNV using RT-PCR and serological assays (IgG).

Main Results:

  • Three patients (1.2%) tested positive for WNV by RT-PCR (serum and CSF).
  • Six patients (2.4%) tested positive for WNV IgG antibodies.
  • History of insect bite was a risk factor for RT-PCR positivity (P=0.048); blood transfusion/transplantation was linked to IgG positivity (P=0.024).

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of West Nile fever is low in patients with encephalitis presenting with fever and loss of consciousness in Isfahan, Iran.
  • Risk factors such as insect bites and blood transfusions warrant consideration in WNV diagnostics.

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