scholarly journals Exposure of Horses in Israel to West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1099
Author(s):  
Gili Schvartz ◽  
Sharon Tirosh-Levy ◽  
Oran Erster ◽  
Roni Shenhar ◽  
Hadas Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Mosquito Vectors ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
West Nile ◽  
East Europe ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Neuroinvasive Disease

West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are arboviruses transmitted by mosquito vectors. Whereas WNV is endemic in Israel, the Middle East, Europe, and in the Americas, data regarding the prevalence of USUV in the Middle East is limited. While both viruses share similar reservoirs and vectors, exposure of horses in the area to USUV have never been assessed. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence and co-exposure of WNV and USUV in horses in Israel. A total of 327 serum samples from healthy unvaccinated horses in Israel collected in 2018 were tested for neutralizing antibodies against WNV and USUV. Seroprevalence for neutralizing antibodies against WNV and USUV was 84.1% and 10.8%, respectively. Management and age were significantly associated with WNV and USUV seropositivity. This is the first report describing exposure of horses in Israel to USUV, which indicates that this zoonotic pathogen should be included in the differential diagnosis list of neuroinvasive disease in this country.

scholarly journals West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in the Italian Tuscany Region from 2016 to 2019

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 844
Author(s):  
Serena Marchi ◽  
Emanuele Montomoli ◽  
Simonetta Viviani ◽  
Simone Giannecchini ◽  
Maria A. Stincarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
West Nile Virus Infection ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Italian Region ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Virus Prevalence ◽  
Neuroinvasive Disease

Although in humans West Nile virus is mainly the cause of mild or sub-clinical infections, in some cases a neuroinvasive disease may occur predominantly in the elderly. In Italy, several cases of West Nile virus infection are reported every year. Tuscany was the first Italian region where the virus was identified; however, to date only two cases of infection have been reported in humans. This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of antibodies against West Nile virus in the area of Siena Province to estimate the recent circulation of the virus. Human serum samples collected in Siena between 2016 and 2019 were tested for the presence of antibodies against West Nile virus by ELISA. ELISA positive samples were further evaluated using immunofluorescence, micro neutralization, and plaque reduction neutralization assays. In total, 1.9% (95% CI 1.2–3.1) and 1.4% (95% CI 0.8–2.4) of samples collected in 2016–2017 were positive by ELISA and immunofluorescence assay, respectively. Neutralizing antibodies were found in 0.7% (95% CI 0.3–1.5) of samples. Additionally, 0.9% (95% CI 0.4–1.7) and 0.65% (95% CI 0.3–1.45) of samples collected in 2018–2019 were positive by ELISA and immunofluorescence assay, respectively. The prevalence of neutralizing antibodies was 0.5% (95% CI 0.2–1.3). Although no human cases of West Nile infection were reported in the area between 2016 and 2019 and virus prevalence in the area of Siena Province was as low as less than 1%, the active asymptomatic circulation confirms the potential concern of this emergent virus for human health.

scholarly journals Increase in human West Nile and Usutu virus infections, Austria, 2018

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (43) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan W. Aberle ◽  
Jolanta Kolodziejek ◽  
Christof Jungbauer ◽  
Karin Stiasny ◽  
Judith H. Aberle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
West Nile Fever ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Neuroinvasive Disease ◽  
Human West Nile Virus ◽  
Imported Cases

Between 28 June and 17 September 2018, 27 cases of human West Nile virus infections were recorded in Austria; four cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease, 11 cases of West Nile fever, six infections detected by blood donation screening and six imported cases. In addition, 18 cases of human Usutu virus infections (all blood donors) were recorded. This is the highest number of annual infections recorded in Austria since the introduction of both viruses.

scholarly journals Induction of Epitope-Specific Neutralizing Antibodies against West Nile Virus

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (21) ◽  
pp. 11828-11839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore Oliphant ◽  
Grant E. Nybakken ◽  
S. Kyle Austin ◽  
Qing Xu ◽  
Jonathan Bramson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Human Serum ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Late Time ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
West Nile ◽  
E Protein ◽  
Low Levels

ABSTRACT Previous studies have established that an epitope on the lateral ridge of domain III (DIII-lr) of West Nile virus (WNV) envelope (E) protein is recognized by strongly neutralizing type-specific antibodies. In contrast, an epitope against the fusion loop in domain II (DII-fl) is recognized by flavivirus cross-reactive antibodies with less neutralizing potential. Using gain- and loss-of-function E proteins and wild-type and variant WNV reporter virus particles, we evaluated the expression pattern and activity of antibodies against the DIII-lr and DII-fl epitopes in mouse and human serum after WNV infection. In mice, immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to the DIII-lr epitope were detected at low levels at day 6 after infection. However, compared to IgG responses against other epitopes in DI and DII, which were readily detected at day 8, the development of IgG against DIII-lr epitope was delayed and did not appear consistently until day 15. This late time point is notable since almost all death after WNV infection in mice occurs by day 12. Nonetheless, at later time points, DIII-lr antibodies accumulated and comprised a significant fraction of the DIII-specific IgG response. In sera from infected humans, DIII-lr antibodies were detected at low levels and did not correlate with clinical outcome. In contrast, antibodies to the DII-fl were detected in all human serum samples and encompassed a significant percentage of the anti-E protein response. Our experiments suggest that the highly neutralizing DIII-lr IgG antibodies have little significant role in primary infection and that the antibody response of humans may be skewed toward the induction of cross-reactive, less-neutralizing antibodies.

West Nile virus neutralizing antibody prevalence in donkeys from northern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idoko Sunday Idoko ◽  
Gili Schvartz ◽  
Sharon Tirosh-Levy ◽  
Oran Erster ◽  
Jibril Yakubu Jibril ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Healthy Adult ◽  
Neutralization Test ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Virus Neutralization Test ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Antibody Prevalence ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anti-West Nile virus (WNV) neutralizing antibodies in donkeys from two areas in northern Nigeria. Methods Serology was determined by a virus neutralization test in samples collected from 205 healthy adult donkeys. Results Fifty-seven donkeys (27.8%) tested seropositive for WNV. Donkeys from Zaria were 2.6 times more likely to have been exposed to WNV (p<0.001). Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that this zoonotic pathogen is prevalent in these areas and that measures should be implemented to reduce the risk for both humans and equids.

Is West Nile Virus infection associated with myasthenia gravis?

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-34
Author(s):  
Fatma Aybala Altay ◽  
Hayat Güven ◽  
Gönül Çiçek Şentürk ◽  
Sevgi Ferik ◽  
İrfan Şencan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Signal Transmission ◽  
West Nile Virus Infection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Neuroinvasive Disease ◽  
Immunological Mechanisms ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Positive Results

Background Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease which is characterised by disruption of signal transmission at neuromuscular junction. We aimed to search about a newly reported association between MG and West Nile Virus (WNV) infection. Methods We searched WNV IgG by ELISA in serum samples of 50 available MG patients and 38 controls. Results None of the samples gave positive results for past WNV infection. Conclusion No evidence of past WNV infection was found in our study population of MG patients. This may have been because MG has been showed to be related with neuroinvasive WNV, which none of our study subjects seem to have had based on their stories. New multicentre studies focusing on immunological mechanisms and held with larger groups or especially neuroinvasive disease patients can cast light onto the answer of this question.

First evidence of simultaneous occurrence of West Nile virus and Usutu virus neuroinvasive disease in humans in Croatia during the 2013 outbreak

Infection ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 689-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Vilibic-Cavlek ◽  
B. Kaic ◽  
L. Barbic ◽  
I. Pem-Novosel ◽  
V. Slavic-Vrzic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Simultaneous Occurrence ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Neuroinvasive Disease

scholarly journals Use of a Surrogate Chimeric Virus To Detect West Nile Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Avian and Equine Sera

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Komar ◽  
Stanley Langevin ◽  
Thomas P. Monath
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Yellow Fever Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Virus West Nile ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Level 2 ◽  
Biosafety Level

ABSTRACT A chimeric yellow fever virus/West Nile virus (WNV) was compared to WNV alone as a biosafety level 2 reagent in the plaque reduction neutralization test for determining WNV infection histories. Concordance was 96.3% among 188 avian and equine serum samples. Neutralizing antibody titers were frequently more than twofold lower with the chimera.

scholarly journals Monoclonal Antibody-Based Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detecting and Quantifying West Nile Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Horse Sera

2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kang-Seuk Choi ◽  
Young-Joon Ko ◽  
Jin-Ju Nah ◽  
Yong-Joo Kim ◽  
Shien-Young Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Standard Test ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
West Nile

ABSTRACT A rapid immunoassay for detecting and quantifying West Nile virus (WNV)-neutralizing antibodies in sera was developed as an alternative to the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), the gold standard test for WNV. The assay is a competitive, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using neutralizing monoclonal antibody 5E8 (NT-ELISA). A cutoff percent inhibition (PI) value of 35% (mean PI plus 3 standard deviations), with a specificity of 99%, was established based on analysis of 246 serum samples from horses free of WNV. The NT-ELISA detected neutralizing antibodies in all sera collected 7 or 14 days postinoculation from mice (n = 11) infected with lineage I (strain NY385-99) or II (strain B956) WNV. When sera from WNV-vaccinated horses (n = 212) were tested by NT-ELISA and PRNT, the NT-ELISA gave a positive result for 96.1% (173/180) of the PRNT-positive sera and 3.1% (1/32) of the PRNT-negative sera. Discrepancies between the two tests were observed mainly with sera with low PRNT90 titers (expressed as the reciprocal of the highest dilution yielding ≥90% reduction in the number of plaques) for WNV or low PIs by NT-ELISA. The overall agreement (k value) between the two tests was 0.86. A good correlation (r 2 = 0.77) was also observed between the tests for endpoint titration of sera (n = 116). In conclusion, the newly developed NT-ELISA may be a good alternative serologic assay for detecting WNV that can be used for large-scale testing of WNV-neutralizing antibodies in multiple species.

scholarly journals West Nile virus-neutralizing antibodies in wild birds from southern Spain

2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (9) ◽  
pp. 1907-1911 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. FERRAGUTI ◽  
J. MARTÍNEZ-DE LA PUENTE ◽  
R. SORIGUER ◽  
F. LLORENTE ◽  
M. Á. JIMÉNEZ-CLAVERO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Insect Communities ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Horse Farms ◽  
Vector Borne

SUMMARYWest Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging vector-borne arbovirus with a zoonotic life-cycle whose main reservoir hosts are birds. In humans and horses, WNV infections rarely result in clinical disease but on occasions – depending on factors such as climatic conditions, insect communities and background immunity levels in local populations – they can lead to outbreaks that threaten public and animal health. We tested for the presence of WNV antibodies in 149 birds belonging to 32 different species. Samples were first tested using a bird-specific ELISA kit and then both positive and doubtful results were confirmed by neutralization tests using WNV and Usutu virus. WNV antibodies were confirmed in a resident Sylvia melanocephala juvenile, supporting the idea of local transmission of WNV in southern Spain in 2013. In addition, the serum from an adult blackbird (Turdus merula) showed neutralization of both WNV and Usutu virus. We discuss our results in light of the occurrence of WNV on horse farms in southern Spain in 2013.

scholarly journals Widespread Circulation of Flaviviruses in Horses and Birds in Northeastern Spain (Catalonia) between 2010 and 2019

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2404
Author(s):  
Sebastian Napp ◽  
Francisco Llorente ◽  
Cécile Beck ◽  
Eduard Jose-Cunilleras ◽  
Mercè Soler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
One Health ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Microneutralization Test

The surveillance for West Nile virus (WNV) in Catalonia (northeastern Spain) has consistently detected flaviviruses not identified as WNV. With the aim of characterizing the flaviviruses circulating in Catalonia, serum samples from birds and horses collected between 2010 and 2019 and positive by panflavivirus competition ELISA (cELISA) were analyzed by microneutralization test (MNT) against different flaviviruses. A third of the samples tested were inconclusive by MNT, highlighting the limitations of current diagnostic techniques. Our results evidenced the widespread circulation of flaviviruses, in particular WNV, but also Usutu virus (USUV), and suggest that chicken and horses could serve as sentinels for both viruses. In several regions, WNV and USUV overlapped, but no significant geographical aggregation was observed. Bagaza virus (BAGV) was not detected in birds, while positivity to tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was sporadically detected in horses although no endemic foci were observed. So far, no human infections by WNV, USUV, or TBEV have been reported in Catalonia. However, these zoonotic flaviviruses need to be kept under surveillance, ideally within a One Health framework.

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