We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Usutu Virus Infections Found among Austrian Blood Donors

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 24 Oct 2017
Usutu virus (USUV) is an African mosquito-borne flavivirus belonging to the Japanese encephalitis virus serocomplex. More...
USUV is closely related to Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, and West Nile virus (WNV).

Besides wild birds, humans can also be infected with Usutu virus through mosquito bites. Usually human Usutu virus infections are asymptomatic though occasionally they may result in fever and rash. Neurologic symptoms and severe courses of the disease are rare in humans, although critical illness was reported in immunosuppressed patients.

European scientists led by those at the University of Veterinary Medicine (Vienna, Austria) collected samples of all blood donations collected from June 1, 2017 onwards by the Blood Service for Austrian Red Cross during the ongoing WNV transmission season 2017 and were sent to the German Red Cross, Blood Service for Baden-Württemberg-Hessen. In Germany they were screened in minipools of 19 samples using the automated nucleic acid (NAT) test on the cobas 8800 system.

The investigators reported that as of October 11, 2017, a total of seven of 12,047 blood donations collected between July 24 and August 25, 2017, reacted positive. WNV NAT-screening positive samples were retested by WNV- and Usutu virus (USUV)-specific reverse transcription (RT) - and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain (RT-qPCR) assays as well as by conventional RT-PCR tests amplifying a wide range of flaviviruses. While one blood donation was confirmed as containing WNV nucleic acid, the six others were negative by WNV-specific RT-qPCR, but positive by USUV-specific RT-qPCR.

The authors concluded that although USUV is a potential human pathogen, there are no specific regulations on screening blood donations for this virus. According to the general rules, only clinically healthy people are allowed to donate blood. However, the USUV-positive blood donors did not show any symptoms before and after donation. They propose that extension of flavivirus screening of blood donations might be taken into consideration by USUV-endemic European countries.

In order to raise awareness and allow timely actions, they intentionally wrote this paper at this point in time when the WNV and USUV transmission seasons are still ongoing, which, depending on weather conditions, may last in central Europe until the end of October. The study was published in the October 2017 edition of the journal Eurosurveillance.

Related Links:
University of Veterinary Medicine


Gold Member
Quantitative POC Immunoassay Analyzer
EASY READER+
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Clinical Chemistry System
P780
New
Urine Chemistry Control
Dropper Urine Chemistry Control
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study has linked blood proteins to Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Could Detect Proteins Linked to Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Loss

Alzheimer’s disease has long been associated with sticky amyloid plaques in the brain, but these markers alone do not fully explain the memory loss and cognitive decline patients experience.... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: An adult fibrosarcoma case report has shown the importance of early diagnosis and targeted therapy (Photo courtesy of Sultana and Sailaja/Oncoscience)

Accurate Pathological Analysis Improves Treatment Outcomes for Adult Fibrosarcoma

Adult fibrosarcoma is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy that develops in connective tissue and often affects the limbs, trunk, or head and neck region. Diagnosis is complex because tumors can mimic... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.