Serological screening of West Nile virus among blood donors in northern Cyprus

Abstract

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic arbovirus that can also be transmitted through blood transfusion. Even though its geographic distribution has been expanding, there has not yet been any epidemiological data on WNV in northern Cyprus. The aim of our study is to fill this gap by using donated blood samples. Methods: Samples collected from the main government hospital blood bank in Nicosia were analyzed by anti‐WNV enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (immunoglobulin M [IgM] and immunoglobulin G [IgG]). Seropositive samples were subjected to plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for confirmation and analyzed by ELISA IgG avidity test and reverse transcription real‐time polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR). Results: Of the 760 sera samples, 2 (0.3%) were IgM+ and 31 (4.1%) were IgG+. Neutralization activity was detected in none (0.0%) of the IgM+ and 26 (83.9%) of IgG+ donor specimens. ELISA IgG avidity test reported high avidity in 21 (67.7%) and low avidity in one (3.2%) IgG+ sample. PRNT‐confirmed anti‐WNV IgG+ samples exhibited only borderline (19.2%) or high avidity (80.8%) values. rRT‐PCR results were negative for both IgM+ and IgG+ samples. Conclusion: Anti‐WNV antibodies were detected in northern Cyprus among blood donors. The establishment of preventive measures and evaluation of the geographic extent of the WNV in northern Cyprus are highly recommended.