Arbovirus infections in patients with meningo-encephalitis in Albania. Arbovirus infections in patients with meningo-encephalitis in Albania

Arboviruses are an important cause of central nervous system infection in Europe. Little is known on their circulation and their role in the etiology of meningo-encephalitis in Albania. In this study we tested serum samples of 198 patients diagnosed with meningo-encephalitis, collected in the years 2008-2014, for West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), Toscana virus (TOSV), and Tick Borne Encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection. WNV infection was diagnosed in 11,3% (22/195) of tested patients; WNV lineage 2 infection was demonstrated in two cases. No TosV, USUV, nor TBE infection were detected in this case-series.