Neutralizing Antibodies against California Serogroup Orthobunyaviruses in Human Serum Samples, Montana, USA
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Viral encephalitis is often underreported and undiagnosed. To understand the potential causes of viral encephalitis in the state of Montana, USA, we examined the relative incidence of human infections for the California serogroup (CSG) of Orthobunyaviruses by screening random convenience serum samples obtained from different hospitals across Montana. We initially screened deidentified samples for neutralizing antibodies against Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), a CSG virus that has caused encephalitis in Montana. We then analyzed JCV-positive samples for neutralization of other CSG viruses, and detected neutralizing antibodies against La Crosse virus, California encephalitis virus, and Trivittatus virus. We also found a high level of cross-reactivity, particularly between JCV and California encephalitis virus. Our findings indicate that the relative CSG virus infection rates in humans are quite high, between 21% and 40%. Clinicians should consider CSG viruses in differential diagnosis for cases of encephalitis of unknown etiology in Montana.
Source: Emerging infectious diseases
Authors: Tyson A. Woods, Stephen F. Johnson, Alyssa B. Evans, Karin E. Peterson
Language: English
Topic: Viral Infections and Vectors
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408575180