Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a pathogen belonging to the family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus. This study examined WNV IgG antibodies in healthy blood donors at Hitit University Blood Centre in Corum, Türkiye, during 2019-2020 using ELISA, thereby providing seroepidemiological data on WNV in northern central Anatolia. It also investigated the associations between ABO (antigens A and B) and Rhesus (D antigen) blood group system and WNV seropositivity. Blood samples from 500 individuals (155 women, 345 men) aged 18 years or older who visited the Blood Transfusion Centre were tested using the Anti-West Nile Virus ELISA kit (IgG) (EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany). Donor epidemiological and demographic info was recorded via the hospital system. WNV IgG antibody was detected in seven (1.4%) donors, comprising five females and two males, while one (0.2%) male donor had a borderline test result. Of the 500 donors, 428 (85.6%) were residents of Corum province (40°32'56″ N-34°57'12″ E), while 72 (14.4%) came from other regions. Within the Corum group, 4 donors (0.8%) were seropositive, with no borderline results. When comparing individuals by gender, the positivity rate was 3.4% in females and 0.6% in males, a difference that was statistically significant (p = 0.032). WNV seropositivity was highest (5 out of 7) in the 26-45 age group, although this was not statistically significant (p = 1.000). The highest WNV seroprevalence was observed in donors with the O Rh(D) blood group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.292). WNV is circulating in our region. Additionally, women appear to be at higher risk for WNV. Our study is the first research on this subject in our area and has made a significant contribution to the literature. Clinicians in North Central Anatolia should consider this disease when assessing potential cases and adjust their diagnoses and treatments accordingly. More detailed research using advanced methods is needed to explore its seroprevalence, reservoir, and vector in the region, as well as to evaluate the implementation of routine WNV screening strategies.