Emerging and re‐emerging viral infections in Europe

Abstract

Emerging viral infections are becoming a serious problem in Europe in the recent years. This is particularly true for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus (WNV) disease, Toscana virus (TOSV) disease, and potentially for avian influenza virus (H5N1). In contrast, emergence or re-emergence of severe viral infections, including tick borne encephalitis virus, and viral haemorrhagic fever caused by Hantavirus and dengue virus have been frequently reported in several European countries. Laboratory diagnosis of these viral infections based on viral isolation or detection by immune electron microscopy, immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has dramatically improved in the recent years, and SARS represents a good example of a diagnostic approach to emerging viral infections. Finally, old and new promising agents are in the pipeline of pharmaceutical companies to treat emerging viral infections. However only prevention based on large epidemiological studies, and research and development of new vaccines may be able to control and eventually eradicate these deadly viral infections.

Toscana Virus Epidemiology: From Italy to Beyond~!2009-11-04~!2009-11-25~!2010-04-22~!

“…Some sporadic TOSV activity was noted during the remaining span of time. Other reports of TOSV infections have been described in northern Italy (Emilia Romagna, Piedmont) [28, 40, 43] and in other regions, including the Marches, Umbria, Lazio, Campania and Sardinia [44-46]. In this context, two cases of meningoencephalitis with severe sequelae, such as hydrocephalus caused by TOSV, were observed in Umbria [29].…”

„Neue“ Viren als bedrohliche Krankheitserreger in Europa

“…Erkrankungen wurden in den letzten Jahren u. a. in Griechenland, Albanien, Kosovo, Ungarn, Frankreich, Portugal und Spanien beobachtet [13,39]. Der Hauptvektor Hyalomma marginatum wird allerdings nicht nur in Südosteuropa und am Mittelmeer nachgewiesen, sondern wurde kürzlich auch in Süddeutschland und den Niederlanden beschrieben [31].…”

Dengue vaccines: A new hope?

“…[1][2][3] The tourniquet test is the basic tool for presumptive diagnosis of dengue infection. [1][2][3][4][5] Considering treatment, early management can warrant the likelihood of success. [1][2][3] Fluid replacement therapy is the main therapeutic practice.…”

“…Emerging dengue infection in many new settings, including many countries in Europe and America, is noteworthy for global public health attention. [4][5][6][7] There are many factors to consider for this scenario. First, although dengue is a very small virus that cannot migrate by itself to a remote area, its mosquito vector can.…”