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

Abstract

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.