scholarly journals Effects of weather and landscape on the equine West Nile virus infection risk in Mississippi, USA

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guiming Wang
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Hierarchical Models ◽  
West Nile Virus Infection ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Bayesian Hierarchical ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Equine West Nile Virus

The West Nile virus (WNv) continues to be a public health concern in North America. Dry weather appears to increase human WNv infection risks, but it is uncertain whether dry weather conditions exert similar effects on the corresponding equine WNv infection. This study assessed the effects of precipitation of the previous year and land cover diversity on the equine WNv risk of Mississippi, USA, at the county level in the year 2002 using Bayesian hierarchical models. The risk estimated for 2002 was found to be inversely related to annual precipitation of the preceding year. Equine WNv risks were lower with greater land cover diversity probably due to the diluting effects of biodiversity. Correlation between the equine and human WNv risks was positive but relatively low. Dry weather conditions of the previous year might reduce mosquito competitors and predators and subsequently increase mosquito abundances and equine WNv risks in agricultural areas with low biodiversity.

scholarly journals Transcriptional response to West Nile virus infection in the zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata )

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 170296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Newhouse ◽  
Erik K. Hofmeister ◽  
Christopher N. Balakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Transcriptional Response ◽  
West Nile Virus Infection ◽  
Taeniopygia Guttata ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Transmission Cycle

West Nile virus (WNV) is a widespread arbovirus that imposes a significant cost to both human and wildlife health. WNV exists in a bird-mosquito transmission cycle in which passerine birds act as the primary reservoir host. As a public health concern, the mammalian immune response to WNV has been studied in detail. Little, however, is known about the avian immune response to WNV. Avian taxa show variable susceptibility to WNV and what drives this variation is unknown. Thus, to study the immune response to WNV in birds, we experimentally infected captive zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ). Zebra finches provide a useful model, as like many natural avian hosts they are moderately susceptible to WNV and thus provide sufficient viremia to infect mosquitoes. We performed RNAseq in spleen tissue during peak viremia to provide an overview of the transcriptional response. In general, we find strong parallels with the mammalian immune response to WNV, including upregulation of five genes in the Rig-I-like receptor signalling pathway, and offer insights into avian-specific responses. Together with complementary immunological assays, we provide a model of the avian immune response to WNV and set the stage for future comparative studies among variably susceptible populations and species.

scholarly journals Transcriptional response to West Nile virus infection in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), a songbird model for immune function

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J Newhouse ◽  
Erik K Hofmeister ◽  
Christopher N Balakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Transcriptional Response ◽  
West Nile Virus Infection ◽  
Taeniopygia Guttata ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Transmission Cycle

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the one of most widespread arboviruses worldwide. WNV exists in a bird-mosquito transmission cycle where passerine birds act as the primary reservoir host. As a public health concern, the mammalian immune response to WNV has been studied in detail. Little, however, is known about the avian immune response to WNV. Avian taxa show variable susceptibility to WNV and what drives this variation is unknown. Thus, to study the immune response to WNV in birds, we experimentally infected captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Zebra finches provide a useful model, as like many natural avian hosts they are moderately susceptible to WNV and thus provide sufficient viremia to infect mosquitoes. We performed splenic RNAseq during peak viremia to provide an overview of the transcriptional response. In general, we find strong parallels with the mammalian immune response to WNV, including up-regulation of five genes in the Rig-I-like receptor signaling pathway, and offer insights into avian specific responses. Together with complementary immunological assays, we provide a model of the avian immune response to WNV and set the stage for future comparative studies among variably susceptible populations and species.

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