West Nile Virus: The New York Connection
Author Information
Author(s): Michael Giladi, Einat Metzkor-Cotter, Denise A. Martin, Yardena Siegman-Igra, Amos D. Korczyn, Raffaele Rosso, Stephen A. Berger, Grant L. Campbell, Robert S. Lanciotti
Primary Institution: Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Hypothesis
The U.S. epidemic of West Nile virus originated from the introduction of a strain that had been circulating in Israel.
Conclusion
The genomic similarity between the U.S. and Israeli West Nile virus strains supports the hypothesis of a common origin.
Supporting Evidence
- The first outbreak of West Nile encephalitis in the Western Hemisphere occurred in New York City in 1999.
- Genomic sequence similarity between U.S. and Israeli strains was over 99.8%.
- Both patients had no contact with other patients or traveled outside the area prior to their illnesses.
Takeaway
Two patients in Israel got sick from the West Nile virus, and scientists think the virus came from Israel to the U.S. because the viruses are very similar.
Methodology
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serologic tests were performed on brain specimens and serum samples.
Limitations
The study is limited by the small sample size and the lack of paired serum specimens for one patient.
Participant Demographics
Two patients, a 75-year-old man and his wife, both from Tel Aviv, Israel.
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