Detection of Tahyna Orthobunyavirus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Patients with Neuroinvasive Disease in Croatia

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Tatjana Vilibić-Čavlek
• Author: Vladimir Stevanović
• Author: Vladimir Savić
• Author: Domagoj Markelić
• Author: Dario Sabadi
• Author: Maja Bogdanić
• Author: Snježana Kovač
• Author: Marija Santini
• Author: Irena Tabain
• Author: Tanja Potočnik-Hunjadi
• Author: Ivana Ferenčak
• Author: Ana Marija Škoda
• Author: Ana Sanković
• Author: Ljubo Barbić
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Medical Microbiology

Abstract (english)

Background: Tahyna orthobunyavirus (TAHV) is widely distributed in continental Europe. Very few studies have analyzed TAHV seroprevalence in Croatia. We analyzed the prevalence of TAHV RNA and antibodies in Croatian patients with neuroinvasive disease (NID).

Methods: A total of 218 patients with unsolved NID detected during five consecutive arbovirus transmission seasons (April 2017-October 2021) were tested. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine samples were tested for TAHV RNA using RT-PCR. In addition, CSF and serum samples were tested for TAHV antibodies using a virus neutralization test (VNT).

Results: Clinical presentations in patients with NID were meningitis (141/64.7%), meningoencephalitis (56/25.7%), myelitis (8/3.7%), and 'febrile headache' (13/5.9%). TAHV RNA was not detected in any of the tested CSF or urine samples; however, TAHV-neutralizing (NT) antibodies were detected in 22/10.1% of patients. Detection of NT antibodies in the CSF of two patients presenting with meningitis suggested recent TAHV infection. TAHV seropositivity increased significantly with age, from 1.8% to 24.4%. There was no difference in seroprevalence between genders or areas of residence (urban, suburban/rural). The majority of seropositive patients (90.9%) resided in floodplains along the rivers in continental Croatia.

Conclusions: The presented results confirm that TAHV is present in Croatia. The prevalence and clinical significance of TAHV infection in the Croatian population have yet to be determined.

• Keywords (english): Croatia; Tahyna orthobunyavirus; neuroinvasive disease; neutralizing antibodies
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Microorganisms
• Numbering: vol. 10, no. 7, 1443
• e-ISSN: 2076-2607
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10071443
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:442132
• Publication: 2022-07-18
• Project: Number: IP-2016-06-7456; Title (croatian): Prevalencija i molekularna epidemiologija emergentnih i re-emergentnih neuroinvazivnih arbovirusnih infekcija na području Hrvatske; Acronym: CRONEUROARBO; Leader: Tatjana Vilibić Čavlek; Jurisdiction: Croatia; Funding stream: IP
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/7/1443
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2023-03-23 12:48:24