Usutu virus infections in humans: a retrospective analysis in the municipality of Modena, Italy

Abstract

USUV infection in humans is not a sporadic event in the studied area, and USUV neuroinvasiveness has been confirmed.

Extinction of Zika Virus and Usutu Virus by Lethal Mutagenesis Reveals Different Patterns of Sensitivity to Three Mutagenic Drugs

“…Although severe disease in humans is rare, there is growing evidence that cases of neurologic disorders associated with USUV have been historically misdiagnosed as WNV (22, 97). The diagnosis of disease caused by USUV is further complicated by the resemblance of pathology to WNV cases and the serological cross-reactivity in diagnostic tests (11, 13, 18, 22–24, 97, 98). A mouse model for USUV infection has been recently established, and it represents a valuable tool to test the in vivo antiviral effect of 5-fluorouracil or novel antivirals (98, 99).…”

“…USUV has caused recent epidemics in birds across Europe, with elevated mortality in some species, such as blackbirds, owls, and other wild and captive animals (15, 19). Recent sporadic cases of human disease geographically connected to these outbreaks are raising concerns of USUV becoming a potential threat to global health (11, 13, 15, 18, 20–24). …”

Widespread Usutu virus outbreak in birds in the Netherlands, 2016

“…It serves as another warning of the expanding geographical range of regions suitable for sustained arbovirus circulation. In areas with endemic circulation, human infections seem to occur very rarely with only 13 human cases described in literature until now [19]. Human clinical cases present with neurological signs, fever, rash, jaundice or combinations thereof.…”

“…Human clinical cases present with neurological signs, fever, rash, jaundice or combinations thereof. Subclinical human USUV infections are a concern in blood transfusions or organ transplants [20], and recent data from Italy suggest that subclinical cases in regions with sustained USUV circulation may be more common than previously thought [19]. The same study showed that USUV was the cause of previously unexplained encephalitis cases [19], indicating that USUV should be included in the differential diagnosis of such cases in endemic areas.…”

“…Subclinical human USUV infections are a concern in blood transfusions or organ transplants [20], and recent data from Italy suggest that subclinical cases in regions with sustained USUV circulation may be more common than previously thought [19]. The same study showed that USUV was the cause of previously unexplained encephalitis cases [19], indicating that USUV should be included in the differential diagnosis of such cases in endemic areas. These recent public health findings suggest that USUV diagnostic capability and adequate USUV surveillance with molecular typing are warranted in regions shown to be suitable for USUV circulation.…”