Diagnosis of West Nile virus infections: Evaluation of different laboratory methods.

Background: The diagnosis of West Nile virus (WNV) is challenging due to short-term and low-level viremia, flavivirus cross-reactivity, and long immunoglobulin M (IgM) persistence.

Aim: To evaluate different methods for WNV detection [reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), IgM/IgG antibodies, IgG avidity] in serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine samples of patients with confirmed WNV infection.

Methods: The study included patients with confirmed WNV neuroinvasive infection ( = 62), asymptomatic WNV seropositive individuals ( = 22), and individuals with false-positive WNV IgM antibodies ( = 30).

Cross-Reactive Antibodies in Tick-Borne Encephalitis: Case Report and Literature Review.

Flaviviruses are a heterogeneous group of viruses that may induce broad antigenic cross-reactivity. We present a patient who was admitted to the infectious disease department with symptoms suggestive of aseptic meningitis. During the clinical workup, the patient reported a tick bite two weeks before the disease onset.

Characterization of Populations from Cultured European Seabass and the Surrounding Marine Environment with Emphasis on . .

species are widely distributed and can be potentially pathogenic to aquatic organisms. In this study, we isolated spp. from environmental samples (seawater, sediment, and fish swabs) collected over a three-year period from a fish farm in Mali Ston Bay in the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, and assess their distribution.

Proteolysis and protein oxidation throughout the smoked dry-cured ham process.

During the five stages of smoked dry-cured ham processing, proteolysis and protein oxidation were simultaneously detected in the Biceps femoris (BF) and Semimembranosus (SM) muscles. Proteolysis was more advanced in BF than in SM throughout the process of production. The total FAA increased significantly (p < 0.

Antiviral Cytokine Response in Neuroinvasive and Non-Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Infection.

Data on the immune response to West Nile virus (WNV) are limited. We analyzed the antiviral cytokine response in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with WNV fever and WNV neuroinvasive disease using a multiplex bead-based assay for the simultaneous quantification of 13 human cytokines. The panel included cytokines associated with innate and early pro-inflammatory immune responses (TNF-α/IL-6), Th1 (IL-2/IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-4/IL-5/IL-9/IL-13), Th17 immune response (IL-17A/IL-17F/IL-21/IL-22) and the key anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.

Characterization of Traditional Croatian Household-Produced Dry-Fermented Sausages.

Characterization of five types of traditional Croatian dry-fermented sausages produced by family farms was performed via identification of superficial mycobiota, physicochemical, sensory, instrumental color, fatty acids & fat quality indices. Detailed characterization of these sausages aimed to achieve standardization of their production and composition and to establish and/or improve their specification protocols. Traditional sausages varied significantly ( < 0.

Emerging Trends in the Epidemiology of West Nile and Usutu Virus Infections in Southern Europe.

The epidemiology of West Nile (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Since 1999, there have been regular reports of WNV outbreaks and the virus has expanded its area of circulation in many Southern European countries. After emerging in Italy in 1996, USUV has spread to other countries causing mortality in several bird species.

A geographical information system for the management of the aquaculture data in the Adriatic Sea - the Strengthening of Centres for Aquaculture Production and Safety surveillance in the Adriatic countries experience: Present capabilities, tools and functions.

The European Commission (EC) regulation no. 854/2004 requires a systematic monitoring of chemical and microbiological contaminants in live bivalve molluscs, live echinoderms, live tunicates and live marine gastropods for human consumption through surveillance plans to be implemented in all European Union (EU) countries.A consortium of five Adriatic countries was set up in the framework of the Instrument of Pre-accession Assistance Adriatic Cross-border Cooperation Programme (IPA Adriatic CBC) 2007- 2013 with the aim of collecting data and distribute information on harvesting and production in mollusc areas.

Differentiation of dry-cured hams from different processing methods by means of volatile compounds, physico-chemical and sensory analysis.

The aim of this study was to characterize dry-cured hams from four different processing methods (differences in primary leg treatment, salting and smoking phase). Volatile compounds were isolated by using headspace-solid phase microextraction and analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Samples were also evaluated by sensory and physico-chemical characteristics (moisture, protein, fat and NaCl content, a, colour).

Bluetongue virus in Oryx antelope (Oryx leucoryx) during the quarantine period in 2010 in Croatia.

Bluetongue (BT) is a viral infectious non‑contagious disease of domestic and wild ruminants. Insect species of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) serve as biological vectors that transmit bluetongue virus (BTV) to susceptible hosts. The infection is present in the Mediterranean region.

First cases of human Usutu virus neuroinvasive infection in Croatia, August-September 2013: clinical and laboratory features.

Few reports of human Usutu virus (USUV) infection have been reported to date. We describe the first three patients with USUV neuroinvasive infection in Zagreb and its surroundings from 30 August to 7 September 2013 during a West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak. Patients were aged 29, 56, and 61 years.

First outbreak of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease in humans, Croatia, 2012.

Between September 6 and 21, 2012, seven human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) neuroinvasive infection were laboratory confirmed in Croatia. The median patient age was 62 years (range 48-77). Five patients presented with meningoencephalitis and two patients with meningoencephalitis followed by acute flaccid paralysis.

As, Cd, Hg and Pb in four edible shellfish species from breeding and harvesting areas along the eastern Adriatic Coast, Croatia.

Four species of shellfish (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Ostrea edulis, Chlamis varia and Venus verrucosa) were collected during the autumn 2011 and spring 2012 along the eastern Adriatic coast from six shellfish harvesting areas (all species) and 13 breeding sampling areas (mussels) to assess As, Cd, Hg and Pb levels and the human risks of shellfish consumption. The mean metal concentrations (wet weight) in the examined species ranged from 1.420 to 9.

Demonstration of Usutu virus antibodies in horses, Croatia.

We report the first serological evidence of Usutu virus (USUV) infection in horses in Croatia. During 2011, 1380 horse serum samples from healthy animals were collected from six northern Croatian counties. All samples were first screened for West Nile virus (WNV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Spreading of West Nile virus infection in Croatia.

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen with rapid global expansion. The virus circulation is confirmed in many countries of Mediterranean Basin and Southern and Central Europe. In our study detection of specific WNV antibodies was performed in horses and cattle sera samples collected from October 2010 to April 2011.