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Updated: Aug 16, 2025

Validating Whole Genome Nanopore Sequencing, using Usutu Virus as an Example
Published on: March 11, 2020
First Human Usutu Virus Reported in Asti (Piedmont, Italy, August 2022) and Early Follow-Up
Tommaso Lupia1, Fabio Paolo Marletto2, Ilvana Tiziana Scuvera2
1Unit of Infectious Diseases, Cardinal Massaia, 14100 Asti, Italy.
Abstract:
The Usutu virus (USUV) has recently attracted the attention of scientists because of its rapid spread across Europe and its growth over the previous seasons in Italy. Here, we describe the first case of USUV infection in Asti, Piedmont region, Italy. The patient remained asymptomatic in the acute phase and during the early follow-up, despite a mild increase in liver enzymes. The prompt diagnosis in this patient was due to positive qualitative PCR for WNV blood-donor screening with negative RT-PCR of WNV and positive USUV-RNA following the confirmation test. Blood-donor screening and transmission risk monitoring are pivotal in following the spread of this Flavivirus in non-endemic countries, due to the high percentage of asymptomatic carriers.
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