Emergence of West Nile virus in West Bengal, India: a new report

Abstract

Background: The ICMR virus unit in Kolkata functions as an Appex Referral Laboratory for the detection of dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) infections in the eastern part of India. In spite of efforts for confirmatory diagnosis, some samples remain undiagnosed every year. West Nile virus (WNV) infection may mimic either dengue (flavivirus) or chikungunya (alphavirus) like illness. WNV is endemic in the tropical region where its principal/potential vectors are Aedes and Culex.

Methods: We explored the existence of WNV within undiagnosed samples to identify the emergence of a new public health problem.

Results: Of 1278 sera samples, 574 were negative for DENV and CHIKV either by ELISA or by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR. Of these 574 negative samples, 83 (14.5%) and 141 (24.56%) were positive for WNV by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively; no samples were positive for WNV by both methods. After assembling raw sequencing data, partial envelope genome sequence of West Bengal isolates, WNV was compared through BLAST with other WNV Indian strains and 98% homology detected. Phylogenetic analysis of one West Bengal isolates (Accession No. KY421790) and 28 Indian isolates available in GenBank, indicated close clustering.

Conclusions: The serological and molecular approaches have clearly established the emergence of WNV in West Bengal. Hence, for proper case management, detection of WNV in common febrile illness is strongly recommended.

Keywords: Emergence; India; West Bengal; West Nile virus.