Seroprevalence Rates against West Nile, Usutu, and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Viruses in Blood-Donors from North-Western Romania

Mircea Coroian, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Gerhard Dobler, Kathrin Euringer, Philipp Girl, Silvia-Diana Borșan, Zsuzsa Kalmár, Violeta Tincuța Briciu, Mirela Flonta, Adriana Topan, Amanda Lelia Rădulescu, Andrei Ungur and Mihaela Sorina Lupșe
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Mircea Coroian: Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Andrei Daniel Mihalca: Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Gerhard Dobler: Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 85748 Munich, Germany
Kathrin Euringer: Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 85748 Munich, Germany
Philipp Girl: Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 85748 Munich, Germany
Silvia-Diana Borșan: Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Zsuzsa Kalmár: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu” Cluj-Napoca, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Violeta Tincuța Briciu: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu” Cluj-Napoca, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Mirela Flonta: Hospital for Infectious Diseases, 400348 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Adriana Topan: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu” Cluj-Napoca, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Amanda Lelia Rădulescu: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu” Cluj-Napoca, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Andrei Ungur: Department of Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Mihaela Sorina Lupșe: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu” Cluj-Napoca, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-12

Abstract: Introduction: West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are all arboviruses belonging to Flaviviridae family. All are characterized by vectorial transmission and sometimes associated with neuroinvasive infections. The circulation of these viruses is considered endemic in parts of Europe, with human cases reported in many countries. Among hosts, the viruses are vectored by hematophagous arthropods, such as mosquitoes (WNV, USUV) and ticks (TBEV). Considering the currently outdated knowledge regarding the epidemiology of these viruses in Romania, the aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence rates of WNV, USUV, and TBEV among healthy blood donors in north-western Romania. Methods: Human blood samples from healthy donors were collected between November 2019 and February 2020 in six counties from the north-western region of Romania. The samples were serologically tested by ELISA and serum neutralization test. Results: Overall, we obtained a seroprevalence of 3.17% for WNV, 0.08% for TBEV, and 0% for USUV. Conclusion: Despite the low seroprevalence of WNV, USUV, and TBEV in our study, we highlight the need for continuous nationwide vector and disease surveillance and implementation of control measures. Further research is required for an optimal overview of the epidemiological status of the Romanian population regarding these flaviviruses together with countrywide awareness campaigns.

Keywords: arboviruses; public health; tick-borne encephalitis virus; Usutu virus; vector-borne diseases; West Nile virus (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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