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.
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.
Morelli
Maria Cristina
MC
Liver and Multiorgan Transplant Unit, S. Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Sambri
Vittorio
V
Grazi
Gian Luca
GL
Gaibani
Paolo
P
Pierro
Anna
A
Cescon
Matteo
M
Ercolani
Giorgio
G
Cavrini
Francesca
F
Rossini
Giada
G
Capobianchi
Maria Rosaria
MR
Di Caro
Antonino
A
Menzo
Stefano
S
Pagliaro
Pasquale Paolo
PP
Ghinelli
Florio
F
Lazzarotto
Tiziana
T
Landini
Maria Paola
MP
Pinna
Antonio Daniele
AD
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*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous