Report on the first two confirmed autochthonous cases of West Nile virus encephalitis in Catalonia, Spain

Abstract

Background

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that can cause Central Nervous System infection in humans. Previous autochthonous cases of WNV encephalitis have been described in Spain, but none in Catalonia.

Materials and methods

We report on the first two autochthonous cases of encephalitis in humans caused by the West Nile virus (WNV) diagnosed in Catalonia (northeastern region of Spain).

Results

An old married couple presented with clinical and biological signs compatible with viral encephalitis. Acute and convalescent serum samples showed IgM and IgG positivity for WNV. In addition, IgM was also detected in cerebrospinal fluid in the male patient. The serological results were later confirmed by microneutralization assays.

Conclusions

WNV infection must be considered in patients presenting with meningoencephalitis with viral CSF characteristics when common pathogens are excluded.

Keywords:

• West Nile virus
• arboviruses
• encephalitis
• viruses

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge all the clinical doctors, nurses and health personnel that have attended both patients, the microbiologists of Hospital Sant Joan de Reus and Hospital Clinic de Barcelona and all the laboratory workers, and the Tarragona Epidemiology Services. We acknowledge too the colleagues of Instituto de Salud Carlos III, without whom, the confirmation of WNV infection would not have been possible. We also want to acknowledge to the patients, that were very collaborative and agreed to publish this case report, and their family, who helped us to contact with the patients and obtain their informed consent.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.