scholarly journals West Nile Virus Associations in Wild Mammals: An Update

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 459 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jeffrey Root ◽  
Angela M. Bosco-Lauth
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Didelphis Virginiana ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Major Review ◽  
Virginia Opossum

Although West Nile virus (WNV) is generally thought to circulate among mosquitoes and birds, several historic and recent works providing evidence of WNV activity in wild mammals have been published. Indeed, a previous review tabulated evidence of WNV exposure in at least 100 mammalian species. Herein, we provide an update on WNV activity in wild and select other mammals that have been reported since the last major review article on this subject was published in early 2013. Of interest, new species, such as Hoffman’s two-toed sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni), are now included in the growing list of wild mammals that have been naturally exposed to WNV. Furthermore, new instances of WNV viremia as well as severe disease presumably caused by this virus have been reported in wild mammals (e.g., the Virginia opossum [Didelphis virginiana]) from natural and semi-captive (e.g., zoological institution) settings. Regrettably, few recent challenge studies have been conducted on wild mammals, which would provide key information as to their potential role(s) in WNV cycles. Largely based on these recent findings, important future lines of research are recommended to assess which mammalian species are commonly exposed to WNV, which mammal species develop viremias sufficient for infecting mosquitoes, and which mammal species might be negatively affected by WNV infection at the species or population level.

scholarly journals West Nile Virus Isolated from a Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) in Northwestern Missouri, USA, 2012

2014 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 976-978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Bosco-Lauth ◽  
Jessica R. Harmon ◽  
R. Ryan Lash ◽  
Sonja Weiss ◽  
Stanley Langevin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Didelphis Virginiana ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Virginia Opossum

scholarly journals A 15 Year Evaluation of West Nile Virus in Wisconsin: Effects on Wildlife and Human Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1767
Author(s):  
Johnny A. Uelmen ◽  
Charles Brokopp ◽  
Jonathan Patz
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
The United States ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Rural Regions ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Statewide Assessment

West Nile virus (WNV) is the most important and widespread mosquito-borne virus in the United States (U.S.). WNV has the ability to spread rapidly and effectively, infecting more than 320 bird and mammalian species. An examination of environmental conditions and the health of keystone species may help predict the susceptibility of various habitats to WNV and reveal key risk factors, annual trends, and vulnerable regions. Since 2002, WNV outbreaks in Wisconsin varied by species, place, and time, significantly affected by unique climatic, environmental, and geographical factors. During a 15 year period, WNV was detected in 71 of 72 counties, resulting in 239 human and 1397 wildlife cases. Controlling for population and sampling efforts in Wisconsin, rates of WNV are highest in the western and northwestern rural regions of the state. WNV incidence rates were highest in counties with low human population densities, predominantly wetland, and at elevations greater than 1000 feet. Resources for surveillance, prevention, and detection of WNV were lowest in rural counties, likely resulting in underestimation of cases. Overall, increasing mean temperature and decreasing precipitation showed positive influence on WNV transmission in Wisconsin. This study incorporates the first statewide assessment of WNV in Wisconsin.

scholarly journals Assessment of status and threats of wild mammals in some selected locations of Dinajpur district, Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 21-34
Author(s):  
Md Amdadul Haque ◽  
M Monirul H Khan ◽  
Md Mofizul Kabir
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
The Status ◽  
Anthropogenic Threats

The status of mammals in Dinajpur district was studied from October 2016 to November 2017. For inventory and assessment of wild mammal’s belt-transect sampling, box trap survey, mist netting, night survey and questionnaire survey methods were used. A total of 22 species of mammals belonging to 11 families and 5 orders were recorded. Of the recorded species 8 were rodents, 1 hare, 1 shrew, 7 bats and 5 carnivores. Muridae appeared as the largest family containing 8 species. A total of 9 species (41%) were recorded as “very common”, 6 species (27%) “common”, 4 species (18%) “uncommon”, and 3 species (14%) “rare”. Among all the mammalian species, 41% (9 species) were nocturnal, 14% (3 species) crepuscular, 37% (8 species) metaturnal and 9% (2 species) diurnal. On the other hand, 55% (12 species) of mammals were terrestrial, 9% (2 species) arboreal, 32% (7 species) aerial and 4% (1 species) aquatic mammals. Of all the recorded species, 32% (7 species) were herbivores followed by 27% (6 species) carnivores, 5% (1 species) opportunists while frugivores and insectivores were 18% (4 species) each. About 19% (4 species) of the known species are nationally threatened comprising of Endangered (5%), Vulnerable (5%) and Near Threatened (9%) and Least Concern (81%). Based on the habitats, 14 species (64%) were recorded from forests, 7 (31%) from homestead vegetation’s and 1 (5%) species from wetlands. A good number of individuals (n=12) of the nationally threatened Bengal Fox (Vulpes bengalensis) were found in the study area and two mammal species, Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis) and Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha) have been locally facing the threat of extirpation. The mammalian diversity in the natural forests (64%) was higher than that of the other habitats. Different anthropogenic threats, especially hunting by ethnic Santal people (frequency of observation 24 times, impact point 4), exist in the study area. The major proposed actions for the study area are habitat restoration, increase public awareness and conflict management. Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 9(1 & 2): 21-34, 2020 (June & December)

scholarly journals Public Perceptions on Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions for West Nile Virus Infections: A Survey from an Endemic Area in Northern Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Matteo Riccò ◽  
Simona Peruzzi ◽  
Federica Balzarini
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Po River ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Preventive Practices

During the last decade, cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) have occurred in the Emilia Romagna Region (ERR). Even though the notification rates remain relatively low, ranging from 0.06 to 1.83 cases/100,000 inhabitants, the persistent pathogen’s circulation in settings characterized by favorable environmental characteristics suggests that WNV is becoming endemic to the Po River Valley. This study assesses knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices toward WNV prevention among residents from 10 high-risk municipalities from the provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia (total population: 82,317 inhabitants, census 2020). A web-based survey, based on the health belief model, was performed during the month of January 2021, with a convenience sampling of 469 participants from a series of closed discussion groups on social media (i.e., 2.1% of the potential responders). A total of 243 participants knew the meaning of WNV: Of them, 61.3% were aware of previous WNV infections in ERR, 76.5% acknowledged WNV infection as a severe one, but only 31.3% expressed any worry about WNV. Our results irregularly report preventive practices, either collective (e.g., draining standing water from items and the environment, 50.7%; spraying pesticides around the home, 33.0%) or individual (e.g., use of skin repellants when going outdoors, 42.6%). In a multivariate analysis, performed through binary logistic regression, participants reporting any worry towards WNV were more likely to characterize WNV as a severe disease (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 20.288, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.083–80.972). On the contrary, respondents supporting community mosquito control programs were more likely among people working with animals/livestock (aOR = 13.948, 95%CI = 2.793–69.653), and supporting tax exemptions for mosquito control programs (aOR = 4.069, 95%CI 2.098–7.893). In conclusion, our results suggest that future interventions promoting WNV prevention among residents in ERR should focus on perceptions of vulnerability to WNV, emphasizing the benefits of personal protective behaviors.

scholarly journals Integrins modulate the infection efficiency of West Nile virus into cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
pp. 1723-1733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Schmidt ◽  
Markus Keller ◽  
Bernhard L. Bader ◽  
Tomáš Korytář ◽  
Stefan Finke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Integrin Αvβ3 ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Integrin Subunit ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
West Nile

The underlying mechanisms allowing West Nile virus (WNV) to replicate in a large variety of different arthropod, bird and mammal species are largely unknown but are believed to rely on highly conserved proteins relevant for viral entry and replication. Consistent with this, the integrin αvβ3 has been proposed lately to function as the cellular receptor for WNV. More recently published data, however, are not in line with this concept. Integrins are highly conserved among diverse taxa and are expressed by almost every cell type at high numbers. Our study was designed to clarify the involvement of integrins in WNV infection of cells. A cell culture model, based on wild-type and specific integrin knockout cell lines lacking the integrin subunits αv, β1 or β3, was used to investigate the susceptibility to WNV, and to evaluate binding and replication efficiencies of four distinct strains (New York 1999, Uganda 1937, Sarafend and Dakar). Though all cell lines were permissive, clear differences in replication efficiencies were observed. Rescue of the β3-integrin subunit resulted in enhanced WNV yields of up to 90 %, regardless of the virus strain used. Similar results were obtained for β1-expressing and non-expressing cells. Binding, however, was not affected by the expression of the integrins in question, and integrin blocking antibodies failed to have any effect. We conclude that integrins are involved in WNV infection but not at the level of binding to target cells.

A Few Words About a West Nile Virus

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 01-02
Author(s):  
Siniša Franjić
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
North America ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Neurological Disease ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Web Page ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Natural Hosts

West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause neurological disease and death in people. WNV is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia. WNV is maintained in nature in a cycle involving transmission between birds and mosquitoes. Humans, horses and other mammals can be infected. On web page of World Health Organisation [1], can be read how approximately 80% of people who are infected will not show any symptoms. West Nile virus is mainly transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The virus can cause severe disease and death in horses. Vaccines are available for use in horses but not yet available for people. Birds are the natural hosts of West Nile virus.

scholarly journals West Nile Virus Restriction in Mosquito and Human Cells: A Virus under Confinement

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 256
Author(s):  
Marie-France Martin ◽  
Sébastien Nisole
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Restriction Factors ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Viral Propagation ◽  
Viral Restriction

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging neurotropic flavivirus that naturally circulates between mosquitoes and birds. However, WNV has a broad host range and can be transmitted from mosquitoes to several mammalian species, including humans, through infected saliva during a blood meal. Although WNV infections are mostly asymptomatic, 20% to 30% of cases are symptomatic and can occasionally lead to severe symptoms, including fatal meningitis or encephalitis. Over the past decades, WNV-carrying mosquitoes have become increasingly widespread across new regions, including North America and Europe, which constitutes a public health concern. Nevertheless, mosquito and human innate immune defenses can detect WNV infection and induce the expression of antiviral effectors, so-called viral restriction factors, to control viral propagation. Conversely, WNV has developed countermeasures to escape these host defenses, thus establishing a constant arms race between the virus and its hosts. Our review intends to cover most of the current knowledge on viral restriction factors as well as WNV evasion strategies in mosquito and human cells in order to bring an updated overview on WNV–host interactions.

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