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WEST NILE VIRUS - ITALY (02)
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Thu 5 Nov 2009
Source: Eurosurveillance edition 2009; 14(44) [edited]
<http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19384>
Genome sequence analysis of the 1st human West Nile virus isolated in Italy
in 2009
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In 2009, 6 new human cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) were
identified in Veneto region, following the 6 cases already reported in
2008. A human West Nile virus (WNV) isolate was obtained for the 1st time
from an asymptomatic blood donor. Whole genome sequence of the human WNV
isolate showed close phylogenetic relatedness to the Italy-1998-WNV strain
and to other WNV strains recently isolated in Europe, with the new
acquisition of the NS3-Thr249Pro mutation, a trait associated with avian
virulence, increased virus transmission, and the occurrence of outbreaks in
humans.
[byline: L Barzon, E Franchin, L Squarzon, E Lavezzo, S Toppo, T Martello,
et al]
--
communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail
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[The full report is available at the source URL above.
The reappearance of the mutation associated with increased virulence and
transmissibility again in 2009 is of concern. The close phylogenetic
relationship between the 2008 and 2009 WNV isolates leads one to speculate
that perhaps the virus with this mutation has become endemic in
northeastern Italy. It will be interesting to see what 2010 brings.
An interactive map of the Veneto region in north eastern Italy can be
accessed at <http://www.maplandia.com/italy/veneto/>. A
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Italy can be accessed at
<http://healthmap.org/r/00V8> - Mod.TY]
[see also:
West Nile virus - Italy 20091009.3496
2008
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West Nile virus - Italy (05) 20081130.3762
West Nile virus - Italy (04): (Veneto) 20081122.3684
West Nile virus - Hungary 20081109.3518
West Nile virus - Italy (03): (FE) 20081007.3177
West Nile virus - Romania: (BR) 20080926.3042
West Nile virus - Italy (02): (Ferrara) 20080926.3040
West Nile virus - Italy: (FE) 20080919.2933]
.................ty/mj/sh
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