Persistence of anti-West Nile virus-specific antibodies among asymptomatic blood donors in northeastern Italy

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2013 Dec;13(12):892-3. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1157. Epub 2013 Aug 6.

Abstract

The development and persistence of anti-West Nile Virus (WNV) immunoglobulin G (IgG)- and IgM-specific antibodies were investigated in 68 asymptomatic blood donors (BDs) previously tested as positive between October, 2008, and September, 2009, and living in northeastern Italy. Our study showed that WNV-specific IgG titers became negative (41%) or decreased (33%) in a large percentage of BDs, while they increased in a smaller percentage (10%); 16% of BDs showed no titer variation. Reversion to seronegative status within a short time frame suggests that WNV surveillance should be maintained year after year.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antibody Specificity*
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • Blood Donors*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Time Factors
  • West Nile Fever / immunology*
  • West Nile Fever / virology
  • West Nile virus / immunology*
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M