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. 2013 Feb;19(2):274-7.
doi: 10.3201/eid1902.121191.

Usutu virus, Italy, 1996

Herbert Weissenböck  1 , Tamás Bakonyi, Giacomo Rossi, Paolo Mani, Norbert Nowotny
Affiliations

Usutu virus, Italy, 1996

Herbert Weissenböck et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2013 Feb.

Abstract

Retrospective analysis of archived tissue samples from bird deaths in the Tuscany region of Italy in 1996 identified Usutu virus. Partial sequencing confirmed identity with the 2001 Vienna strain and provided evidence for a much earlier introduction of this virus into Europe than previously assumed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Immunohistochemical staining with Usutu virus–specific antibody showing virus antigen in the brain of a blackbird that died during an Usutu virus outbreak in Italy, 1996. Numerous neurons show characteristic, frequently coarsely granular cytoplasmic labeling (arrows). Original magnification ×390.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Genetic relationships of partial nonstructural protein 5 nucleotide sequences of Usutu virus, Italy, 1996. Sequences are indicated by codes containing GenBank accession number, country of origin, and year of sample collection. Virus reported in this study is indicated in boldface. Bootstrap values >500 (50%) are displayed. Scale bar indicates genetic distance.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Mani P, Rossi G, Perrucci S, Bertini S. Mortality of Turdus merula in Tuscany [in Italian]. Selezione Veterinaria. 1998;8–9:749–53.
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