Viruses (Jan 2020)

Imported Human West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Infection in Spain: Neurological and Gastrointestinal Complications

  • María Velasco,
  • María Paz Sánchez-Seco,
  • Carolina Campelo,
  • Fernando de Ory,
  • Oriol Martin,
  • Laura Herrero,
  • Octavio J. Salmerón Béliz,
  • Teodora Minguito,
  • Mª Carmen Campos,
  • Francisca Molero,
  • Alejandro Algora,
  • Ana Vázquez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v12020156
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 2
p. 156

Abstract

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We report the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 infection imported to Spain by a traveler returning from Romania. Serum, cerebrospinal fluid and urine samples were analyzed and West Nile virus infection was identified by PCR and serological tests. The patient developed fever, diarrhea and neurological symptoms, accompanied by mild pancreatitis, described previously in very few cases as a complication of WNV infection and by alithiasic cholecystitis. Viral RNA was detected in urine until 30 days after the onset of symptoms and neutralizing antibodies were detected at very low titers. The phylogenetic analysis in a fragment of the NS5 gene of the virus showed a homology with sequences from WNV lineage 2 belonging to the monophyletic Central/Southern European group.

Keywords