Publications by authors named "R N Charrel"

Background: Toscana virus (TOSV) is a sand fly-borne phlebovirus causing central nervous system (CNS) infection in Mediterranean countries, during summer season. However, clinical aspects of the disease caused by this virus are poorly known by clinicians, so that its prevalence is probably underestimated due to a lack of diagnosis.

Study Design: The data was gathered from all available case series and retrospective studies identifying TOSV as the causative viral agent.

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West Nile Virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) circulate through complex cryptic transmission cycles involving mosquitoes as vectors, birds as amplifying hosts and several mammal species as dead-end hosts. Both viruses can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, which can lead to neuroinvasive and potentially fatal disease. Notably, WNV can also be transmitted through blood donations and organ transplants.

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Mosquito-borne viruses represent a large global health burden. With geographic expansion of competent vectors for chikungunya virus (CHIKV), dengue virus (DENV), and Zika virus (ZIKV) in Europe, it is anticipated that the number of autochthonous cases of these tropical viruses in Europe will increase. Therefore, regular assessment of diagnostic capabilities in Europe is important.

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The mosquito-borne alphavirus o'nyong-nyong virus (ONNV) has proven its potential to cause major human outbreaks. On the African continent, ONNV causes unspecific febrile illness and co-circulates with the close relative chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The true scale of ONNV burden is poorly understood in Africa, because of the scarce availability of molecular in-house and commercial assays, strong cross-reactivity between ONNV and CHIKV in serological assays and a lack of surveillance.

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Article Synopsis
  • Yellow fever virus (YFV) is a disease prevalent in some regions of Africa and South America, and recent research suggests using urine as a diagnostic specimen may be beneficial alongside blood tests.
  • An extensive literature review found that urine tests showed a comparable detection rate of YFV to blood, with some differences in timing regarding when the virus can first and last be detected.
  • The study concludes that urine could be a valuable addition to YFV diagnostics, particularly for samples taken later in the infection process.
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