Cornelia Ceianu - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Cornelia Ceianu
Roumanian archives of microbiology and immunology, 2018
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2021
Culex pipiens sensu lato has been documented as West Nile virus (WNV) vector in southeastern Roma... more Culex pipiens sensu lato has been documented as West Nile virus (WNV) vector in southeastern Romania. Bucharest, the densely populated capital city of Romania, and the surrounding Ilfov county are WNV hotspots. In this area, the morphologically indistinguishable biotypes of Cx. pipiens, namely pipiens and molestus, are usually differentiated by their behavioral and physiological traits. Their involvement in WNV transmission, as suggested by entomological investigations, was not previously documented for each biotype. We used a Real-Time PCR assay based on CQ11 microsatellite to identify the Cx. pipiens biotypes and their hybrids collected in various habitats in the Bucharest metropolitan area. A sympatric distribution of both biotypes was observed, with a preference of green areas for pipiens, and human settings and animal farmlands for molestus. In the latter habitats, pipiens and molestus were found in mixed aboveground populations. A low number of hybrids was found suggesting existence of reproductive isolation. In subway tunnels molestus was dominant with a higher number of hybrids recorded than aboveground. Blood-engorged mosquitoes were identified to biotype and the blood meal source identified by DNA barcoding. Overall, Cx. pipiens s.l. fed mainly on birds, commonly on house sparrows, collared doves, and blackbirds, which are potential WNV-amplifying hosts. The preference for avian hosts was expressed strongest by pipiens biotype, while molestus was substantially less specific, feeding on avian and mammal hosts with similar frequency, with humans representing 20% of the hosts. Hybrids had a host choice closer to that of molestus. These findings highlight the role of pipiens biotype as enzootic/epizootic vector, and specifically show molestus as the bridge vector for WNV. The pipiens and molestus biotypes show important differences in habitat preferences, including oviposition; these findings demonstrate that targeted mosquito control to limit WNV transmission may be possible.
Eurosurveillance, 2011
A total of 57 cases of West Nile virus infection (54 with neuroinvasive infection and three with ... more A total of 57 cases of West Nile virus infection (54 with neuroinvasive infection and three with fever) were identified in Romania between July and October 2010. The median age of the cases was 53.4 years, with the highest incidence in the age group 60-69 years. The case fatality rate was 8.8%. Cases were distributed in 19 districts in the southern, western, central and eastern parts of the country. Molecular investigation revealed lineage 2 West Nile virus, related to the Volgograd 2007 strain.
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2020
Parasites & vectors, Jan 26, 2018
West Nile virus (WNV) is endemic in southeastern Romania and, after the unprecedented urban epide... more West Nile virus (WNV) is endemic in southeastern Romania and, after the unprecedented urban epidemic in Bucharest in 1996 caused by lineage 1 WNV, cases of West Nile fever have been recorded every year. Furthermore, a new outbreak occurred in 2010, this time produced by a lineage 2 WNV belonging to the Eastern European clade (Volgograd 2007-like strain), which was detected in humans and mosquitoes in the following years. We report here, for the first time, the emergence, in 2015, of lineage 2 WNV belonging to the monophyletic Central/Southern European group of strains which replaced in 2016, the previously endemized lineage 2 WNV Volgograd 2007-like strain in mosquito populations. The emerged WNV strain harbors H249P (NS3 protein) and I159T (E glycoprotein) substitutions, which have been previously associated in other studies with neurovirulence and efficient vector transmission. In 2016, both early amplification of the emerged WNV and complete replacement in mosquito populations of...
Eurosurveillance, 2011
Hantavirus infections are reported from many countries in Europe and with highly variable annual ... more Hantavirus infections are reported from many countries in Europe and with highly variable annual case numbers. In 2010, more than 2,000 human cases were reported in Germany, and numbers above the baseline have also been registered in other European countries. Depending on the virus type human infections are characterised by mild to severe forms of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The member laboratories of the European Network for diagnostics of Imported Viral Diseases present here an overview of the progression of human cases in the period from 2005 to 2010. Further we provide an update on the available diagnostic methods and endemic regions in their countries, with an emphasis on occurring virus types and reservoirs.
Journal of Clinical Virology, 2018
Lack of Zika virus antibody response in confirmed patients in non-endemic countries Zika virus (Z... more Lack of Zika virus antibody response in confirmed patients in non-endemic countries Zika virus (ZIKV) has spread in the last 2 years throughout America and SouthEastern Asia causing a widespread epidemic [1]. Detection of ZIKV RNA in body fluids confirms ZIKV infection, however ZIKV antibody testing is much more complex due to possible cross-reactivity with closely related flaviviruses [2]. From December 2015 to February 2017, 401 patients from eight reference laboratories in the Czech Republic, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom had been confirmed for ZIKV infection by detection of ZIKV RNA in body fluids [2-4] (Table 1). Of these 401 patients, 148 were negative for ZIKV directed against IgM and IgG in serum collected at the time of PCR-positivity as tested by ELISA (7 laboratories, Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany) or IFA and ELISA (2 laboratories, Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany). For 80 of these 148 seronegative confirmed patients a second, follow-up serum sample was available. Altogether, 5 of these 80 patients remained without seroconversion in consecutive samples (Table 2) for ZIKV antibodies tested by ELISA and virus neutralization (VNT) (Table 2). The acute samples of these 5 patients were re-extracted and retested from original material which confirmed the presence of ZIKV RNA. Material from patients 1 and 2 were sequenced [5]. Ideally, each of the samples from the 5 patients would also have been tested in at least one of the other laboratories, but because of insufficient clinical material, this wasn't possible. Most importantly, none of the sero-negative patients had any indication of immune-deficiency. Two patients were pregnant. One explanation for the lack of detection of ZIKV IgM or IgG antibodies in 5 of our patients is low sensitivity of the assays. Indeed, a few studies have previously demonstrated low sensitivity of the Euroimmun NS1 ELISA [6-9]. However, since neutralization is widely accepted as the gold standard test for arboviral infections and unlike the NS1 ELISA, neutralization primarily recognizes antibodies against surface proteins, the probability that both tests failed to detect ZIKV antibodies is low. Another explanation is that production of ZIKV antibodies was suppressed in these cases maybe due to a previous flavivirus infection which might suppress ZIKV immune response including the production of neutralizing antibodies (original antigenic sin [10,11]). In conclusion, our results show absence of ZIKV specific antibodies using routine serological assays in 5 of 80 of convalescent sera from PCR confirmed ZIKV cases in returning travelers. This may suggest significant under-diagnosis of ZIKV infections when diagnosis relies on serology alone. This is especially of importance in cases where congenital Zika syndrome might be involved such as diagnosis of pregnant women or males with pregnant partners. As serum of pregnant women, whole blood and semen provide a longer window of detection for PCR [12-15], these samples should be tested by RT-PCR alongside serology. Relating the absence of detectable ZIKV immune responses to the absence/severity of clinical symptoms and previous flavivirus antigen exposure in larger cohort studies might provide insight into the groups at risk for such under-diagnosis.
Background: Aedes (Stegomya) albopictus (Skuse 1895) is known globally as a highly invasive speci... more Background: Aedes (Stegomya) albopictus (Skuse 1895) is known globally as a highly invasive species and an effective vector of dengue and Chikungunya viruses. Ae. albopictus, in stable populations, has been able to initiate local transmission of dengue and Chikungunya viruses in France and Croatia, and even to sustain a significant Chikungunya outbreak in Italy. Findings: Forty five Ae. albopictus adult individuals (38 females and 7 males) have been captured using mosquito traps during a routine entomological monitoring for West Nile virus vectors, carried out between August 26 and October 5, 2012, in the city of Bucharest. Ae. albopictus individuals were captured in seven collection stations from a small area in the South of the city. Mitochondrial markers COI and ND5 were amplified and partial sequence was obtained. The phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated COI and ND5 sequences showed that the Ae. albopictus individuals collected in Bucharest were one hundred per cent similar...
Eurosurveillance, 2015
Lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV), previously found only in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, was ... more Lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV), previously found only in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, was identified in Hungary in 2004 and has rapidly expanded in Europe in the past decade. Following a significant outbreak of West Nile fever with neurological cases caused by lineage 1 WNV in Romania in 1996, scattered cases have been recorded in the south-east of the country in each transmission season. Another outbreak, affecting a larger area and caused by lineage 2 WNV, was recorded in 2010. We analysed human sera from neuroinvasive West Nile fever cases and mosquitoes, sampled in south-eastern Romania between 2011 and 2013, for the presence of WNV genome, and obtained partial NS5 and envelope glycoprotein sequences. Human- and mosquito-derived WNV sequences were highly similar (99%) to Volgograd 2007 lineage 2 WNV and differed from isolates previously detected in central and southern Europe. WNV was detected in one pool of Culex pipiens s.l. males, documenting vertical transmission. Lin...
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 2015
During an entomological investigation carried out in Bucharest and surroundings in fall of 2012, ... more During an entomological investigation carried out in Bucharest and surroundings in fall of 2012, 45 adult mosquitoes (38 females and 7 males) of Aedes albopictus were collected in a neighborhood from the southern area of the city. The morphological identification of the species was further confirmed by sequencing 2 mitochondrial DNA markers: the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 genes. Aedes albopictus was collected again in 2013 in the same area from July until October. During late summer the species was found also in another location in the city, downtown Bucharest. Larvae were found in water barrels and other types of household containers, as well as in rain catch basins. In 2014, following a nuisance complaint of a Bucharest inhabitant, the entomological investigation found aggressive Ae. albopictus adults on his property that harbored many mosquito larvae in container-type breeding habitats. These findings are the 1st records of this invasive species and of its breeding population in Romania, and show maintenance of the species over 2 winter seasons. Surveillance of the species outside the area of the capital city was not performed, therefore it is not known whether Ae. albopictus has been introduced in other regions of the country. The presence of Ae. albopictus has been reported every year (2012-14) to competent public health authorities, stressing on the importance of surveillance and of implementation of control measures.
A mosquito-borne flavivirus • Endemic in southeastern Romania: human neuroinvasive WNF are record... more A mosquito-borne flavivirus • Endemic in southeastern Romania: human neuroinvasive WNF are recorded every year. • Detection and characterization of WNV genotypes circulating in humans and mosquitoes from southeastern Romania in 2011-2013. • Adult mosquitoes were: -collected during mosquito seasonal activity in 2011, 2012 and 2013 -pooled by species (up to 30 mosquitoes/pool), and screened for WNV genome using a comercial RT Real Time PCR assay -analyzed for determination of WNV infection rate in mosquito pools (Minimum infection rate -MIR/1000). • 17 sera from patients with laboratory confirmed WN neuroinvasive infection were tested for WNV RNA by a comercial RT Real Time PCR assay. • Detection of WNV lineage from positive mosquito pools and human sera: -nested RT-PCR assay: to amplify partial NS5 gene of WNV -sequencing of a 845 nt fragment spanning the NS5 viral polymerase gene -pylogenetic analysis of a 466 nt fragment spanning NS5 viral genomic region with Mega5 software and nei...
Eurosurveillance, 2014
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an infectious viral disease that has (re-)emerged in t... more Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an infectious viral disease that has (re-)emerged in the last decade in southeastern Europe, and there is a risk for further geographical expansion to western Europe. Here we report the results of a survey covering 28 countries, conducted in 2012 among the member laboratories of the European Network for Diagnostics of 'Imported' Viral Diseases (ENIVD) to assess laboratory preparedness and response capacities for CCHF. The answers of 31 laboratories of the European region regarding CCHF case definition, training necessity, biosafety, quality assurance and diagnostic tests are presented. In addition, we identified the lack of a Regional Reference Expert Laboratory in or near endemic areas. Moreover, a comprehensive review of the biosafety level suitable to the reality of endemic areas is needed. These issues are challenges that should be addressed by European public health authorities. However, all respondent laboratories have suitable diagnostic capacities for the current situation.
ABSTRACT This study presents an updated faunistic list for the two vertebrate classes from the ar... more ABSTRACT This study presents an updated faunistic list for the two vertebrate classes from the area of the Cindrel Mountains, where three protected areas of national importance were promulgated recently. Upper vertebrate fauna gathers 92 bird species and 46 mammal species. A number of 53 bird species is included in the national and international legislation on avifaunal protection. From mammals, 32 species are included the national legislation, respectively 30 species are included the international legislation. Some of them became rare or are threatened. Résumé. La faune de la zone des Monts Cindrel comprend 92 espèces d'oiseaux et 46 espèces de mammifères. Un nombre de 53 espèces d'oiseaux figure dans la législation nationale et internationale de protection de la faune. 32 de ces espèces de mammifères sont protégées par lois nationales et 30 espèces par celles internationales. Certaines en sont devenues rares ou sont menacées par l'extinction et afin de les protéger il est nécessaire de déclarer dans cette zone des aires protégées.
RESUME : Anopheles mascarensis est un vecteur de paludisme humain sur la Côte Est de Madagascar. ... more RESUME : Anopheles mascarensis est un vecteur de paludisme humain sur la Côte Est de Madagascar. Ce présent article expose des données originales acquises entre 1996 et 2003 sur la répartition, la biologie et la capacité vectrice d'An. mascarensis dans le Moyen-Ouest de Madagascar. Cette espèce est fondamentalement exophile tant pour son comportement trophique que son comportement de repos, ce qui explique que les pulvérisations domicilaires d'insecticide ne sont pas suivies d'effet évident sur les populations de cet anophèle. Cette espèce est principalement zoophile, mais peut piquer l'homme, ce qui concourt à expliquer un indice sporozoïtique particulièrement bas (1/2218 = 0,045%). Les densités agressives pour l'homme sont ordinairement faibles sauf lors du pic observé entre mai et août en début de saison sèche. Il en résulte que son rôle vecteur, sans être nul, est faible dans le Moyen-Ouest, a contrario de ce qui est observé sur la côte Est. L'addition des rôles vecteurs d'An. arabiensis et An. mascarensis est probablement capable de maintenir une faible endémie palustre dans le Moyen-Ouest de Madagascar en absence du vecteur principal An. funestus.
Travel medicine and infectious disease, Jan 13, 2014
Dengue fever is the commonest arthropod-borne infection worldwide. In recent years, rapid growth ... more Dengue fever is the commonest arthropod-borne infection worldwide. In recent years, rapid growth in global air travel has resulted in a considerable increase in the incidence of imported cases. In Romania it is now the second most frequent cause for hospitalization (after malaria) in patients arriving from tropical regions. Serological and molecular diagnostics were applied to samples obtained between 2008 and 2013 from travelers with suspected dengue. Molecular typing was performed by RT-PCR followed by sequencing of the E-NS1 junction. Twelve of 37 suspected cases were confirmed and three remained probable. The infections were acquired in endemic regions in Asia, Africa and in Europe (Madeira Island). Dengue virus nucleic acid was detected and sequenced in nine cases. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the viruses were of genotypes I and V of serotype 1, cosmopolitan genotype of serotype 2 and genotypes I and III of serotype 3. Romanian tourists traveling to dengue-endemic count...
Viral Immunology, 2001
In response to the 1996 West Nile (WN) fever epidemic that occurred in Bucharest and southeastern... more In response to the 1996 West Nile (WN) fever epidemic that occurred in Bucharest and southeastern Romania, a surveillance program was established. The surveillance system detected 39 clinical human WN fever cases during the period 1997-2000: 14 cases in 1997, 5 cases in 1998, 7 cases in 1999, and 13 cases in 2000. Thirty-eight of the 39 case-patients lived in the greater Danube Valley of southern Romania, and 1 case-patient resided in the district of Vaslui, located on the Moldavian plateau. The estimated annual case incidence rate for the surveillance area during the period 1997-2000 was 0.95 cases per million residents. Thirtyfour cases were serologically confirmed, and 5 cases were classified as probable. Twentyfour case-patients presented with clinical symptoms of meningitis (62%), 12 with meningoencephalitis (31%), 1 with encephalitis (3%), and 2 with febrile exanthema (5%). Five of the 39 cases were fatal (13%). Fourteen case-patients resided in rural areas, and 25 in urban and suburban areas, including 7 case-patients who resided in Bucharest. The ages of case-patients ranged from 8 to 76 years with a median age of 45 years. Twenty-four casepatients were males and 15 were females. Dates of onset of illness occurred from May 24 through September 25, with 82% of onset dates occurring in August and September. Limited entomological surveillance failed to detect WN virus. Retrospective sampling of domestic fowl in the vicinity of case-patient residences during the years 1997-2000 demonstrated seroprevalence rates of 7.8%-29%. Limited wild bird surveillance demonstrated seroprevalence rates of 5%-8%. The surveillance data suggest that WN virus persists focally for several years in poorly understood transmission cycles after sporadic introductions or that WN virus is introduced into Romania at relatively high rates, and persists seasonally in small foci.
PLoS ONE, 2013
Background: In the summer of 2010, Europe experienced outbreaks of West Nile Fever (WNF) in human... more Background: In the summer of 2010, Europe experienced outbreaks of West Nile Fever (WNF) in humans, which was preceded by hot spells. The objective of this study was to identify potential drivers of these outbreaks, such as spring and summer temperatures, relative humidity (RH), and precipitation. Methods: Pearson and lag correlations, binary and multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess the relationship between the climatic parameters and these outbreaks. Results: For human morbidity, significant (,0.05) positive correlations were observed between a number of WNF cases and temperature, with a geographic latitude gradient: northern (''colder'') countries displayed strong correlations with a lag of up to four weeks, in contrast to southern (''warmer'') countries, where the response was immediate. The correlations with RH were weaker, while the association with precipitation was not consistent. Horse morbidity started three weeks later than in humans where integrated surveillance was conducted, and no significant associations with temperature or RH were found for lags of 0 to 4 weeks. Conclusions: Significant temperature deviations during summer months might be considered environmental precursors of WNF outbreaks in humans, particularly at more northern latitudes. These insights can guide vector abatement strategies by health practitioners in areas at risk for persistent transmission cycles.
Roumanian archives of microbiology and immunology, 2018
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2021
Culex pipiens sensu lato has been documented as West Nile virus (WNV) vector in southeastern Roma... more Culex pipiens sensu lato has been documented as West Nile virus (WNV) vector in southeastern Romania. Bucharest, the densely populated capital city of Romania, and the surrounding Ilfov county are WNV hotspots. In this area, the morphologically indistinguishable biotypes of Cx. pipiens, namely pipiens and molestus, are usually differentiated by their behavioral and physiological traits. Their involvement in WNV transmission, as suggested by entomological investigations, was not previously documented for each biotype. We used a Real-Time PCR assay based on CQ11 microsatellite to identify the Cx. pipiens biotypes and their hybrids collected in various habitats in the Bucharest metropolitan area. A sympatric distribution of both biotypes was observed, with a preference of green areas for pipiens, and human settings and animal farmlands for molestus. In the latter habitats, pipiens and molestus were found in mixed aboveground populations. A low number of hybrids was found suggesting existence of reproductive isolation. In subway tunnels molestus was dominant with a higher number of hybrids recorded than aboveground. Blood-engorged mosquitoes were identified to biotype and the blood meal source identified by DNA barcoding. Overall, Cx. pipiens s.l. fed mainly on birds, commonly on house sparrows, collared doves, and blackbirds, which are potential WNV-amplifying hosts. The preference for avian hosts was expressed strongest by pipiens biotype, while molestus was substantially less specific, feeding on avian and mammal hosts with similar frequency, with humans representing 20% of the hosts. Hybrids had a host choice closer to that of molestus. These findings highlight the role of pipiens biotype as enzootic/epizootic vector, and specifically show molestus as the bridge vector for WNV. The pipiens and molestus biotypes show important differences in habitat preferences, including oviposition; these findings demonstrate that targeted mosquito control to limit WNV transmission may be possible.
Eurosurveillance, 2011
A total of 57 cases of West Nile virus infection (54 with neuroinvasive infection and three with ... more A total of 57 cases of West Nile virus infection (54 with neuroinvasive infection and three with fever) were identified in Romania between July and October 2010. The median age of the cases was 53.4 years, with the highest incidence in the age group 60-69 years. The case fatality rate was 8.8%. Cases were distributed in 19 districts in the southern, western, central and eastern parts of the country. Molecular investigation revealed lineage 2 West Nile virus, related to the Volgograd 2007 strain.
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2020
Parasites & vectors, Jan 26, 2018
West Nile virus (WNV) is endemic in southeastern Romania and, after the unprecedented urban epide... more West Nile virus (WNV) is endemic in southeastern Romania and, after the unprecedented urban epidemic in Bucharest in 1996 caused by lineage 1 WNV, cases of West Nile fever have been recorded every year. Furthermore, a new outbreak occurred in 2010, this time produced by a lineage 2 WNV belonging to the Eastern European clade (Volgograd 2007-like strain), which was detected in humans and mosquitoes in the following years. We report here, for the first time, the emergence, in 2015, of lineage 2 WNV belonging to the monophyletic Central/Southern European group of strains which replaced in 2016, the previously endemized lineage 2 WNV Volgograd 2007-like strain in mosquito populations. The emerged WNV strain harbors H249P (NS3 protein) and I159T (E glycoprotein) substitutions, which have been previously associated in other studies with neurovirulence and efficient vector transmission. In 2016, both early amplification of the emerged WNV and complete replacement in mosquito populations of...
Eurosurveillance, 2011
Hantavirus infections are reported from many countries in Europe and with highly variable annual ... more Hantavirus infections are reported from many countries in Europe and with highly variable annual case numbers. In 2010, more than 2,000 human cases were reported in Germany, and numbers above the baseline have also been registered in other European countries. Depending on the virus type human infections are characterised by mild to severe forms of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The member laboratories of the European Network for diagnostics of Imported Viral Diseases present here an overview of the progression of human cases in the period from 2005 to 2010. Further we provide an update on the available diagnostic methods and endemic regions in their countries, with an emphasis on occurring virus types and reservoirs.
Journal of Clinical Virology, 2018
Lack of Zika virus antibody response in confirmed patients in non-endemic countries Zika virus (Z... more Lack of Zika virus antibody response in confirmed patients in non-endemic countries Zika virus (ZIKV) has spread in the last 2 years throughout America and SouthEastern Asia causing a widespread epidemic [1]. Detection of ZIKV RNA in body fluids confirms ZIKV infection, however ZIKV antibody testing is much more complex due to possible cross-reactivity with closely related flaviviruses [2]. From December 2015 to February 2017, 401 patients from eight reference laboratories in the Czech Republic, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom had been confirmed for ZIKV infection by detection of ZIKV RNA in body fluids [2-4] (Table 1). Of these 401 patients, 148 were negative for ZIKV directed against IgM and IgG in serum collected at the time of PCR-positivity as tested by ELISA (7 laboratories, Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany) or IFA and ELISA (2 laboratories, Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany). For 80 of these 148 seronegative confirmed patients a second, follow-up serum sample was available. Altogether, 5 of these 80 patients remained without seroconversion in consecutive samples (Table 2) for ZIKV antibodies tested by ELISA and virus neutralization (VNT) (Table 2). The acute samples of these 5 patients were re-extracted and retested from original material which confirmed the presence of ZIKV RNA. Material from patients 1 and 2 were sequenced [5]. Ideally, each of the samples from the 5 patients would also have been tested in at least one of the other laboratories, but because of insufficient clinical material, this wasn't possible. Most importantly, none of the sero-negative patients had any indication of immune-deficiency. Two patients were pregnant. One explanation for the lack of detection of ZIKV IgM or IgG antibodies in 5 of our patients is low sensitivity of the assays. Indeed, a few studies have previously demonstrated low sensitivity of the Euroimmun NS1 ELISA [6-9]. However, since neutralization is widely accepted as the gold standard test for arboviral infections and unlike the NS1 ELISA, neutralization primarily recognizes antibodies against surface proteins, the probability that both tests failed to detect ZIKV antibodies is low. Another explanation is that production of ZIKV antibodies was suppressed in these cases maybe due to a previous flavivirus infection which might suppress ZIKV immune response including the production of neutralizing antibodies (original antigenic sin [10,11]). In conclusion, our results show absence of ZIKV specific antibodies using routine serological assays in 5 of 80 of convalescent sera from PCR confirmed ZIKV cases in returning travelers. This may suggest significant under-diagnosis of ZIKV infections when diagnosis relies on serology alone. This is especially of importance in cases where congenital Zika syndrome might be involved such as diagnosis of pregnant women or males with pregnant partners. As serum of pregnant women, whole blood and semen provide a longer window of detection for PCR [12-15], these samples should be tested by RT-PCR alongside serology. Relating the absence of detectable ZIKV immune responses to the absence/severity of clinical symptoms and previous flavivirus antigen exposure in larger cohort studies might provide insight into the groups at risk for such under-diagnosis.
Background: Aedes (Stegomya) albopictus (Skuse 1895) is known globally as a highly invasive speci... more Background: Aedes (Stegomya) albopictus (Skuse 1895) is known globally as a highly invasive species and an effective vector of dengue and Chikungunya viruses. Ae. albopictus, in stable populations, has been able to initiate local transmission of dengue and Chikungunya viruses in France and Croatia, and even to sustain a significant Chikungunya outbreak in Italy. Findings: Forty five Ae. albopictus adult individuals (38 females and 7 males) have been captured using mosquito traps during a routine entomological monitoring for West Nile virus vectors, carried out between August 26 and October 5, 2012, in the city of Bucharest. Ae. albopictus individuals were captured in seven collection stations from a small area in the South of the city. Mitochondrial markers COI and ND5 were amplified and partial sequence was obtained. The phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated COI and ND5 sequences showed that the Ae. albopictus individuals collected in Bucharest were one hundred per cent similar...
Eurosurveillance, 2015
Lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV), previously found only in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, was ... more Lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV), previously found only in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, was identified in Hungary in 2004 and has rapidly expanded in Europe in the past decade. Following a significant outbreak of West Nile fever with neurological cases caused by lineage 1 WNV in Romania in 1996, scattered cases have been recorded in the south-east of the country in each transmission season. Another outbreak, affecting a larger area and caused by lineage 2 WNV, was recorded in 2010. We analysed human sera from neuroinvasive West Nile fever cases and mosquitoes, sampled in south-eastern Romania between 2011 and 2013, for the presence of WNV genome, and obtained partial NS5 and envelope glycoprotein sequences. Human- and mosquito-derived WNV sequences were highly similar (99%) to Volgograd 2007 lineage 2 WNV and differed from isolates previously detected in central and southern Europe. WNV was detected in one pool of Culex pipiens s.l. males, documenting vertical transmission. Lin...
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 2015
During an entomological investigation carried out in Bucharest and surroundings in fall of 2012, ... more During an entomological investigation carried out in Bucharest and surroundings in fall of 2012, 45 adult mosquitoes (38 females and 7 males) of Aedes albopictus were collected in a neighborhood from the southern area of the city. The morphological identification of the species was further confirmed by sequencing 2 mitochondrial DNA markers: the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 genes. Aedes albopictus was collected again in 2013 in the same area from July until October. During late summer the species was found also in another location in the city, downtown Bucharest. Larvae were found in water barrels and other types of household containers, as well as in rain catch basins. In 2014, following a nuisance complaint of a Bucharest inhabitant, the entomological investigation found aggressive Ae. albopictus adults on his property that harbored many mosquito larvae in container-type breeding habitats. These findings are the 1st records of this invasive species and of its breeding population in Romania, and show maintenance of the species over 2 winter seasons. Surveillance of the species outside the area of the capital city was not performed, therefore it is not known whether Ae. albopictus has been introduced in other regions of the country. The presence of Ae. albopictus has been reported every year (2012-14) to competent public health authorities, stressing on the importance of surveillance and of implementation of control measures.
A mosquito-borne flavivirus • Endemic in southeastern Romania: human neuroinvasive WNF are record... more A mosquito-borne flavivirus • Endemic in southeastern Romania: human neuroinvasive WNF are recorded every year. • Detection and characterization of WNV genotypes circulating in humans and mosquitoes from southeastern Romania in 2011-2013. • Adult mosquitoes were: -collected during mosquito seasonal activity in 2011, 2012 and 2013 -pooled by species (up to 30 mosquitoes/pool), and screened for WNV genome using a comercial RT Real Time PCR assay -analyzed for determination of WNV infection rate in mosquito pools (Minimum infection rate -MIR/1000). • 17 sera from patients with laboratory confirmed WN neuroinvasive infection were tested for WNV RNA by a comercial RT Real Time PCR assay. • Detection of WNV lineage from positive mosquito pools and human sera: -nested RT-PCR assay: to amplify partial NS5 gene of WNV -sequencing of a 845 nt fragment spanning the NS5 viral polymerase gene -pylogenetic analysis of a 466 nt fragment spanning NS5 viral genomic region with Mega5 software and nei...
Eurosurveillance, 2014
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an infectious viral disease that has (re-)emerged in t... more Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an infectious viral disease that has (re-)emerged in the last decade in southeastern Europe, and there is a risk for further geographical expansion to western Europe. Here we report the results of a survey covering 28 countries, conducted in 2012 among the member laboratories of the European Network for Diagnostics of 'Imported' Viral Diseases (ENIVD) to assess laboratory preparedness and response capacities for CCHF. The answers of 31 laboratories of the European region regarding CCHF case definition, training necessity, biosafety, quality assurance and diagnostic tests are presented. In addition, we identified the lack of a Regional Reference Expert Laboratory in or near endemic areas. Moreover, a comprehensive review of the biosafety level suitable to the reality of endemic areas is needed. These issues are challenges that should be addressed by European public health authorities. However, all respondent laboratories have suitable diagnostic capacities for the current situation.
ABSTRACT This study presents an updated faunistic list for the two vertebrate classes from the ar... more ABSTRACT This study presents an updated faunistic list for the two vertebrate classes from the area of the Cindrel Mountains, where three protected areas of national importance were promulgated recently. Upper vertebrate fauna gathers 92 bird species and 46 mammal species. A number of 53 bird species is included in the national and international legislation on avifaunal protection. From mammals, 32 species are included the national legislation, respectively 30 species are included the international legislation. Some of them became rare or are threatened. Résumé. La faune de la zone des Monts Cindrel comprend 92 espèces d'oiseaux et 46 espèces de mammifères. Un nombre de 53 espèces d'oiseaux figure dans la législation nationale et internationale de protection de la faune. 32 de ces espèces de mammifères sont protégées par lois nationales et 30 espèces par celles internationales. Certaines en sont devenues rares ou sont menacées par l'extinction et afin de les protéger il est nécessaire de déclarer dans cette zone des aires protégées.
RESUME : Anopheles mascarensis est un vecteur de paludisme humain sur la Côte Est de Madagascar. ... more RESUME : Anopheles mascarensis est un vecteur de paludisme humain sur la Côte Est de Madagascar. Ce présent article expose des données originales acquises entre 1996 et 2003 sur la répartition, la biologie et la capacité vectrice d'An. mascarensis dans le Moyen-Ouest de Madagascar. Cette espèce est fondamentalement exophile tant pour son comportement trophique que son comportement de repos, ce qui explique que les pulvérisations domicilaires d'insecticide ne sont pas suivies d'effet évident sur les populations de cet anophèle. Cette espèce est principalement zoophile, mais peut piquer l'homme, ce qui concourt à expliquer un indice sporozoïtique particulièrement bas (1/2218 = 0,045%). Les densités agressives pour l'homme sont ordinairement faibles sauf lors du pic observé entre mai et août en début de saison sèche. Il en résulte que son rôle vecteur, sans être nul, est faible dans le Moyen-Ouest, a contrario de ce qui est observé sur la côte Est. L'addition des rôles vecteurs d'An. arabiensis et An. mascarensis est probablement capable de maintenir une faible endémie palustre dans le Moyen-Ouest de Madagascar en absence du vecteur principal An. funestus.
Travel medicine and infectious disease, Jan 13, 2014
Dengue fever is the commonest arthropod-borne infection worldwide. In recent years, rapid growth ... more Dengue fever is the commonest arthropod-borne infection worldwide. In recent years, rapid growth in global air travel has resulted in a considerable increase in the incidence of imported cases. In Romania it is now the second most frequent cause for hospitalization (after malaria) in patients arriving from tropical regions. Serological and molecular diagnostics were applied to samples obtained between 2008 and 2013 from travelers with suspected dengue. Molecular typing was performed by RT-PCR followed by sequencing of the E-NS1 junction. Twelve of 37 suspected cases were confirmed and three remained probable. The infections were acquired in endemic regions in Asia, Africa and in Europe (Madeira Island). Dengue virus nucleic acid was detected and sequenced in nine cases. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the viruses were of genotypes I and V of serotype 1, cosmopolitan genotype of serotype 2 and genotypes I and III of serotype 3. Romanian tourists traveling to dengue-endemic count...
Viral Immunology, 2001
In response to the 1996 West Nile (WN) fever epidemic that occurred in Bucharest and southeastern... more In response to the 1996 West Nile (WN) fever epidemic that occurred in Bucharest and southeastern Romania, a surveillance program was established. The surveillance system detected 39 clinical human WN fever cases during the period 1997-2000: 14 cases in 1997, 5 cases in 1998, 7 cases in 1999, and 13 cases in 2000. Thirty-eight of the 39 case-patients lived in the greater Danube Valley of southern Romania, and 1 case-patient resided in the district of Vaslui, located on the Moldavian plateau. The estimated annual case incidence rate for the surveillance area during the period 1997-2000 was 0.95 cases per million residents. Thirtyfour cases were serologically confirmed, and 5 cases were classified as probable. Twentyfour case-patients presented with clinical symptoms of meningitis (62%), 12 with meningoencephalitis (31%), 1 with encephalitis (3%), and 2 with febrile exanthema (5%). Five of the 39 cases were fatal (13%). Fourteen case-patients resided in rural areas, and 25 in urban and suburban areas, including 7 case-patients who resided in Bucharest. The ages of case-patients ranged from 8 to 76 years with a median age of 45 years. Twenty-four casepatients were males and 15 were females. Dates of onset of illness occurred from May 24 through September 25, with 82% of onset dates occurring in August and September. Limited entomological surveillance failed to detect WN virus. Retrospective sampling of domestic fowl in the vicinity of case-patient residences during the years 1997-2000 demonstrated seroprevalence rates of 7.8%-29%. Limited wild bird surveillance demonstrated seroprevalence rates of 5%-8%. The surveillance data suggest that WN virus persists focally for several years in poorly understood transmission cycles after sporadic introductions or that WN virus is introduced into Romania at relatively high rates, and persists seasonally in small foci.
PLoS ONE, 2013
Background: In the summer of 2010, Europe experienced outbreaks of West Nile Fever (WNF) in human... more Background: In the summer of 2010, Europe experienced outbreaks of West Nile Fever (WNF) in humans, which was preceded by hot spells. The objective of this study was to identify potential drivers of these outbreaks, such as spring and summer temperatures, relative humidity (RH), and precipitation. Methods: Pearson and lag correlations, binary and multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess the relationship between the climatic parameters and these outbreaks. Results: For human morbidity, significant (,0.05) positive correlations were observed between a number of WNF cases and temperature, with a geographic latitude gradient: northern (''colder'') countries displayed strong correlations with a lag of up to four weeks, in contrast to southern (''warmer'') countries, where the response was immediate. The correlations with RH were weaker, while the association with precipitation was not consistent. Horse morbidity started three weeks later than in humans where integrated surveillance was conducted, and no significant associations with temperature or RH were found for lags of 0 to 4 weeks. Conclusions: Significant temperature deviations during summer months might be considered environmental precursors of WNF outbreaks in humans, particularly at more northern latitudes. These insights can guide vector abatement strategies by health practitioners in areas at risk for persistent transmission cycles.