Shemsedin Dreshaj
University of Prishtina, Kosovo
Title: Human West Nile virus infection in Kosovo 2012-2015: A cross-sectional analysis
Biography
Shemsedin Dreshaj has completed his Medical Faculty in Prishtina University, Kosovo, in 1984. From 1990, he worked as a Senior Infectious Diseases Doctor and served as a Head of Department for Neuroinfections from 1992 to 2018; Head of Infectious Diseases Clinic from 2006 to 2014; and Vice Dean for academic affairs from 2009 to 2013, Medical Faculty in Prishtina University.
Abstract
Background: Infection with West Nile virus (WNV) has emerged recently as a threat to public health. The most infections are asymptomatic and there is a risk for the disease transmission by infected travellers. Methods: Eight patients with confirmed WNV neuroinvasive disease treated in the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo during the years 2012-2015 were enrolled in the study. In addition, 453 sera from Gjilani Hosiptal were analyzed. Laboratory confirmation was conducted through detection of IgM/IgG antibodies with immunofluorescence and the virus neutralization test. Results: Of eight patients with WNV neuroinvasive disease, five (62.5%) patients had encephalitis and three (37.5%) meningitis. In two patients with meningitis, clinical signs of polyradiculoneuritis were observed whereas in one patient with encephalitis a respiratory failure was developed. Among the total number of the patients half of them had comorbidities. At discharge, three (37.5%) were functionally independent (mRS 0–2), and five (62.5%) were functionally dependent (mRS 3–5). Conclusions: WNV is present in the entire Kosovo, affecting mainly old patients, and presenting with various neurological manifestations. Our data indicates the need for taking into consideration the risk in terms of asymptomatic infected travellers