title: West Nile virus seroprevalence and behavioral risks in HIV-1 infected individuals, Northern Greece, 2011.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to assess the West Nile Virus (WNV) seroprevalence and behavioral risk factors for WNV infection in HIV-1 infected individuals in Northern Greece in 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively enrolled 91 HIV-1 consecutive patients followed up in the HIV clinic of the AHEPA University Hospital in the period from November to December 2011. Serum samples were tested for the presence of WNV IgG antibodies. All subjects were administered a standardized questionnaire to evaluate for risk factors for WNV infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  WNV IgG antibodies were detected in three subjects (3.3%, 95% CI 0.7-9.3%), two of whom were of African origin. The prevalence of WNV antibodies in HIV patients of Greek origin was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.03% - 6.3%). In the sample surveyed, 53.6% (95% CI: 42.4% to 64.5%) were aware of WNV prevention measures; 2.2% reported no implementation of prevention measures, whereas 46.1% implemented at least three measures. Approximately one half of the patients reported outdoor activities for more than two hours from dusk to dawn. None of the IgG-positive patients reported any symptoms compatible with WNV disease during the season at risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among native Greek HIV patients, the WNV seroprevalence is 1.2%. A considerable proportion of patients was aware of WNV prevention measures and implemented some of these. HIV patients and other categories of immunocompromised patients are at increased risk of neuroinvasive disease, and widespread implementation of prevention measures should be strongly encouraged in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Division, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: pilalas_jim@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pilalas
authors.affiliation: National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece - Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: mollyskoura@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lemonia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Skoura
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Division, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: metallidissimeon@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Simeon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Metallidis
authors.affiliation: National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece - Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: andreaskour@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kourelis
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Division, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: olgat_med@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tsachouridou
authors.affiliation: National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece - Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: nicmal@med.auth.gr.
authors.forename: Nicolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Malisiovas
authors.affiliation: National Reference Centre for Arboviruses- Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: annap@med.auth.gr.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015497:HIV-1; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral
keywords: Behavioral risk; HIV; Risk factors; Seroepidemiologic studies; West Nile Virus