title: Absence of neuroinvasive disease in a liver transplant recipient who acquired West Nile virus (WNV) infection from the organ donor and who received WNV antibodies prophylactically.
abstract: We describe the first case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Europe with transmission from donor to recipient following liver transplantation. The infection was detected in the recipient 3 days after transplantation, during the asymptomatic phase. We also report an innovative prophylactic strategy based on infusion of WNV hyperimmune plasma and gamma globulins that could be effective in preventing the appearance of a neuroinvasive disease.
authors.affiliation: Liver and Multiorgan Transplant Unit, S. Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sambri
authors.forename: Gian Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Grazi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaibani
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pierro
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cescon
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ercolani
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavrini
authors.forename: Giada
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossini
authors.forename: Maria Rosaria
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Capobianchi
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Caro
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Menzo
authors.forename: Pasquale Paolo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Pagliaro
authors.forename: Florio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghinelli
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lazzarotto
authors.forename: Maria Paola
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Landini
authors.forename: Antonio Daniele
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pinna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000379:methods*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000379:methods; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014180:Transplantation; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous