Publications by authors named "G Savini"
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).
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen that can infect humans, equids, and many bird species, posing a threat to their health. It consists of eight lineages, with Lineage 1 (L1) and Lineage 2 (L2) being the most prevalent and pathogenic. Italy is one of the hardest-hit European nations, with 330 neurological cases and 37 fatalities in humans in the 2021-2022 season, in which the L1 re-emerged after several years of low circulation.
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- West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause severe neurological diseases like meningitis and encephalitis, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
- A case study of a 65-year-old woman reveals rapid worsening of her condition, leading to death within 10 days, despite receiving supportive treatment.
- The diagnosis was confirmed using nucleic acid amplification testing, and the study highlights the usefulness of nasopharyngeal swabs for virus sampling, emphasizing the need to monitor WNV outbreaks, particularly in areas with known circulation among birds.
Article Synopsis
- Bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) are viruses spread by biting midges that cause serious diseases in ruminants, and they circulate in different forms (serotypes).
- A new EHDV strain (serotype 8) was first found in Tunisia in 2021 and later identified in cattle in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France in 2022, where BTV is already a concern.
- Researchers developed a TaqMan RT-qPCR assay that efficiently detects and differentiates BTV and EHDV, providing a quick and cost-effective method for diagnosis, aiding in better surveillance and control of these diseases.