Outbreak of West Nile Virus in Southern Russia
Author Information
Author(s): D.K. Lvov, A.M. Butenko, V.L. Gromashevsky, V.Ph. Larichev, S.Ya. Gaidamovich, O.I. Vyshemirsky, A.N. Zhukov, V.V. Lazorenko, V.N. Salko, A.I. Kovtunov, Kh.M. Galimzyanov, A.E. Platonov, T.N. Morozova, N.V. Khutoretskaya, E.O. Shishkina, T.M. Skvortsova
Primary Institution: D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology
Hypothesis
The outbreak of meningoencephalitis in southern Russia is associated with West Nile virus.
Conclusion
The study confirmed the presence of West Nile virus in patients during a meningoencephalitis outbreak in southern Russia.
Supporting Evidence
- Approximately 1,000 cases and at least 40 deaths were reported during the outbreak.
- Two strains of West Nile virus were isolated from patient samples.
- Virus was confirmed in brain tissue from a 16-year-old patient.
- High risk for exposure to West Nile virus was observed in the Volga basin.
Takeaway
In southern Russia, many people got sick from a virus called West Nile virus, which was found in their blood and brain samples.
Methodology
Serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tissue samples were tested for West Nile virus using RT-PCR and virus isolation in suckling mice.
Limitations
Virus was isolated from only one of the five patients whose brain tissue was examined.
Participant Demographics
Patients included individuals aged 16 to 72 years from the Volgograd region.
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