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de Vos CJ, Hennen WHGJ, van Roermund HJW, Dhollander S, Fischer EAJ, de Koeijer AA. Assessing the introduction risk of vector-borne animal diseases for the Netherlands using MINTRISK: A Model for INTegrated RISK assessment. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259466. [PMID: 34727138 PMCID: PMC8562800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate and compare the risk of emerging vector-borne diseases (VBDs), a Model for INTegrated RISK assessment, MINTRISK, was developed to assess the introduction risk of VBDs for new regions in an objective, transparent and repeatable manner. MINTRISK is a web-based calculation tool, that provides semi-quantitative risk scores that can be used for prioritization purposes. Input into MINTRISK is entered by answering questions regarding entry, transmission, establishment, spread, persistence and impact of a selected VBD. Answers can be chosen from qualitative answer categories with accompanying quantitative explanation to ensure consistent answering. The quantitative information is subsequently used as input for the model calculations to estimate the risk for each individual step in the model and for the summarizing output values (rate of introduction; epidemic size; overall risk). The risk assessor can indicate his uncertainty on each answer, and this is accounted for by Monte Carlo simulation. MINTRISK was used to assess the risk of four VBDs (African horse sickness, epizootic haemorrhagic disease, Rift Valley fever, and West Nile fever) for the Netherlands with the aim to prioritise these diseases for preparedness. Results indicated that the overall risk estimate was very high for all evaluated diseases but epizootic haemorrhagic disease. Uncertainty intervals were, however, wide limiting the options for ranking of the diseases. Risk profiles of the VBDs differed. Whereas all diseases were estimated to have a very high economic impact once introduced, the estimated introduction rates differed from low for Rift Valley fever and epizootic haemorrhagic disease to moderate for African horse sickness and very high for West Nile fever. Entry of infected mosquitoes on board of aircraft was deemed the most likely route of introduction for West Nile fever into the Netherlands, followed by entry of infected migratory birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clazien J. de Vos
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Wil H. G. J. Hennen
- Wageningen Economic Research, Wageningen University & Research, Den Haag, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Egil A. J. Fischer
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Aline A. de Koeijer
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
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Santos PD, Ziegler U, Szillat KP, Szentiks CA, Strobel B, Skuballa J, Merbach S, Grothmann P, Tews BA, Beer M, Höper D. In action-an early warning system for the detection of unexpected or novel pathogens. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab085. [PMID: 34703624 PMCID: PMC8542707 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Proactive approaches in preventing future epidemics include pathogen discovery prior to their emergence in human and/or animal populations. Playing an important role in pathogen discovery, high-throughput sequencing (HTS) enables the characterization of microbial and viral genetic diversity within a given sample. In particular, metagenomic HTS allows the unbiased taxonomic profiling of sequences; hence, it can identify novel and highly divergent pathogens such as viruses. Newly discovered viral sequences must be further investigated using genomic characterization, molecular and serological screening, and/or invitro and invivo characterization. Several outbreak and surveillance studies apply unbiased generic HTS to characterize the whole genome sequences of suspected pathogens. In contrast, this study aimed to screen for novel and unexpected pathogens in previously generated HTS datasets and use this information as a starting point for the establishment of an early warning system (EWS). As a proof of concept, the EWS was applied to HTS datasets and archived samples from the 2018–9 West Nile virus (WNV) epidemic in Germany. A metagenomics read classifier detected sequences related to genome sequences of various members of Riboviria. We focused the further EWS investigation on viruses belonging to the families Peribunyaviridae and Reoviridae, under suspicion of causing co-infections in WNV-infected birds. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the reovirus genome sequences clustered with sequences assigned to the species Umatilla virus (UMAV), whereas a new peribunyavirid, tentatively named ‘Hedwig virus’ (HEDV), belonged to a putative novel genus of the family Peribunyaviridae. In follow-up studies, newly developed molecular diagnostic assays detected fourteen UMAV-positive wild birds from different German cities and eight HEDV-positive captive birds from two zoological gardens. UMAV was successfully cultivated in mosquito C6/36 cells inoculated with a blackbird liver. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the power of the applied EWS for the discovery and characterization of unexpected viruses in repurposed sequence datasets, followed by virus screening and cultivation using archived sample material. The EWS enhances the strategies for pathogen recognition before causing sporadic cases and massive outbreaks and proves to be a reliable tool for modern outbreak preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Dianne Santos
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, Greifswald, Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, Greifswald, Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Kevin P Szillat
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, Greifswald, Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Claudia A Szentiks
- 4Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo- and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, Berlin 10315, Germany
| | - Birte Strobel
- Chemical and Veterinary Investigations Office Karlsruhe (CVUA Karlsruhe), Weissenburgerstrasse 3, Karlsruhe 76187, Germany
| | - Jasmin Skuballa
- Chemical and Veterinary Investigations Office Karlsruhe (CVUA Karlsruhe), Weissenburgerstrasse 3, Karlsruhe 76187, Germany
| | - Sabine Merbach
- State Institute for Chemical and Veterinary Analysis (CVUA) Westfalen, Zur Taubeneiche 10-12, Arnsberg 59821, Germany
| | - Pierre Grothmann
- Practice for Zoo, Game and Wild Animals, Lintiger Str. 74, Geestland 27624, Germany
| | - Birke Andrea Tews
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Infectology, Südufer 10, Greifswald, Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, Greifswald, Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, Greifswald, Insel Riems 17493, Germany
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Srihi H, Chatti N, Ben Mhadheb M, Gharbi J, Abid N. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis of the complete genome of the West Nile virus lineage 2 (WNV-2) in the Mediterranean basin. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:183. [PMID: 34579648 PMCID: PMC8477494 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01902-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The West Nile virus is a highly contagious agent for a wide range of hosts. Its spread in the Mediterranean region raises several questions about its origin and the risk factors underlying the virus’s dispersal. Materials and methods The present study aims to reconstruct the temporal and spatial phylodynamics of West Nile virus lineage 2 in the Mediterranean region using 75 complete genome sequences from different host species retrieved from international databases. Results This data set suggests that current strains of WNV-2 began spreading in South Africa or nearby regions in the early twentieth century, and it migrated northwards via at least one route crossing the Mediterranean to reach Hungary in the early 2000s, before spreading throughout Europe. Another introduction event, according to the data set collected and analyses performed, is inferred to have occurred in around 1978. Migratory birds constitute, among others, additional risk factors that enhance the geographical transmission of the infection.
Conclusion Our data underline the importance of the spatial–temporal tracking of migratory birds and phylodynamic reconstruction in setting up an efficient surveillance system for emerging and reemerging zoonoses in the Mediterranean region. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-021-01902-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haythem Srihi
- Research Unit UR17ES30 "Genomics, Biotechnology and Antiviral Strategies", Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Tahar Hadded Avenue, PB 74, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Noureddine Chatti
- Research Unit UR17ES30 "Genomics, Biotechnology and Antiviral Strategies", Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Tahar Hadded Avenue, PB 74, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Manel Ben Mhadheb
- Research Unit UR17ES30 "Genomics, Biotechnology and Antiviral Strategies", Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Tahar Hadded Avenue, PB 74, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Jawhar Gharbi
- Research Unit UR17ES30 "Genomics, Biotechnology and Antiviral Strategies", Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Tahar Hadded Avenue, PB 74, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia.,Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, PB 400, Post Code 31982, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabil Abid
- Laboratory of Transmissible Diseases and Biological Active Substances LR99ES27, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Ibn Sina Street, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia. .,High Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, Department of Biotechnology, University of Manouba, BiotechPôlet Sidi Thabet, PB 66, 2020, Ariana-Tunis, Tunisia.
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de Heus P, Kolodziejek J, Hubálek Z, Dimmel K, Racher V, Nowotny N, Cavalleri JMV. West Nile Virus and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Are Endemic in Equids in Eastern Austria. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091873. [PMID: 34578454 PMCID: PMC8473302 DOI: 10.3390/v13091873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in addition to the autochthonous tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in Europe causes rising concern for public and animal health. The first equine case of West Nile neuroinvasive disease in Austria was diagnosed in 2016. As a consequence, a cross-sectional seroprevalence study was conducted in 2017, including 348 equids from eastern Austria. Serum samples reactive by ELISA for either flavivirus immunoglobulin G or M were further analyzed with the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT-80) to identify the specific etiologic agent. Neutralizing antibody prevalences excluding vaccinated equids were found to be 5.3% for WNV, 15.5% for TBEV, 0% for USUV, and 1.2% for WNV from autochthonous origin. Additionally, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect WNV nucleic acid in horse sera and was found to be negative in all cases. Risk factor analysis did not identify any factors significantly associated with seropositivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phebe de Heus
- Clinical Unit of Equine Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (P.d.H.); (J.-M.V.C.)
| | - Jolanta Kolodziejek
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (J.K.); (K.D.)
| | - Zdenĕk Hubálek
- Institute for Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Kvĕtná 8, 60365 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Katharina Dimmel
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (J.K.); (K.D.)
| | - Victoria Racher
- Department of Mathematics, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Norbert Nowotny
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (J.K.); (K.D.)
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, Building 14, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-25077-2704
| | - Jessika-M. V. Cavalleri
- Clinical Unit of Equine Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (P.d.H.); (J.-M.V.C.)
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Fynmore N, Lühken R, Maisch H, Risch T, Merz S, Kliemke K, Ziegler U, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Becker N. Rapid assessment of West Nile virus circulation in a German zoo based on honey-baited FTA cards in combination with box gravid traps. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:449. [PMID: 34488835 PMCID: PMC8419893 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04951-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background For over a decade, monitoring of West Nile virus (WNV) in Germany has consisted of a bird monitoring programme as well as a mosquito-based surveillance programme employing CO2-baited encephalitis vector surveillance (EVS) traps for mass trapping and screening of mosquitoes. In contrast to the EVS traps, the Reiter/Cummings type box gravid trap collects gravid female mosquitoes, which have already taken a blood meal, increasing the likelihood of being infected with pathogens. The traps can be equipped with a honey-baited Flinders Technology Associates® (FTA) card to encourage sugar feeding by the trapped mosquitoes. FTA cards contain nucleic acid preserving substances, which prevent the degradation of viral RNA in the expectorated mosquito saliva and allows for testing the card for flavivirus RNA. This study aimed to assess the suitability of the method for WNV surveillance in Germany as an alternative to previous methods, which are expensive, time-consuming, and predominantly target host-seeking populations less likely to be infected with WNV. Methods In the Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt, snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca) and greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) died of WNV infections in July and August 2020. In response, five Reiter/Cummings type box gravid traps were positioned during the daytime on the 10th, 13th, and 16th of September in five different locations. The FTA cards and mosquitoes in the chamber were collected, kept in a cool chain, and further processed for virus detection using a modified generic flavivirus reverse transcription PCR. Results A total of 15 trappings during September collected a total of 259 female mosquitoes, 97% of which were Culex pipiens sensu lato, as well as 14 honey-baited FTA cards. Eight mosquitoes tested PCR-positive for WNV. Four FTA cards tested PCR-positive for mosquito-borne flaviviruses, two of which were confirmed as WNV, and the remaining two confirmed as Usutu virus. Conclusion The suitability of the FTA cards in preserving viral RNA in the field and rapid turnaround time from collection to result is combined with a simple, cost-effective, and highly specific trapping method to create an arbovirus surveillance system, which circumvents many of the difficulties of previous surveillance programmes that required the analysis of mosquitoes in the laboratory. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelle Fynmore
- Institute of Dipterology (IfD), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346, Speyer, Germany.,The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Renke Lühken
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heike Maisch
- Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt, Am Zoopark 1, 99087, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Tina Risch
- Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt, Am Zoopark 1, 99087, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Sabine Merz
- Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt, Am Zoopark 1, 99087, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Konstantin Kliemke
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Department of Arbovirology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 74, 20359, Hamburg, Germany.,Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Norbert Becker
- Institute of Dipterology (IfD), Georg-Peter-Süß-Str. 3, 67346, Speyer, Germany. .,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Trachsel DS, Drozdzewska K, Bergmann F, Ziegler U, Gehlen H. [Confirmed case of a West Nile virus infection in a horse with minimal neurological signs and a favorable clinical outcome]. Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere 2021; 49:281-286. [PMID: 34425618 DOI: 10.1055/a-1519-4547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne viral pathogen of global importance and is considered to be the most widespread flavivirus. In Germany, first infections with WNV were detected in 2018 and it is expected for these to become more frequent in consequence to warmer winters followed by a rainy/humid springtime. WNV is maintained in an enzootic cycle between ornithophilic mosquitoes and certain wild bird species. Humans and horses are so-called "dead-end hosts" of a WNV infection. They frequently do not fall ill, however occasionally develop overt infections ranging from mild febrile symptoms (so-called "West Nile fever") up to severe encephalitis with fatal outcome. Therefore, it is important to recognize the clinical signs and to be able to distinguish a WNV infection from other possible differential diagnoses. The presented case report highlights rather uncommon clinical signs of a WNV infection such as non-specific fever, anorexia, or colic-like symptoms. In addition, possible differential diagnoses as well as the treatment are discussed. The time course of neutralizing antibodies following natural infection is reported, showing high levels of antibodies 7 months following the infection. Finally, antibody measurements demonstrated a very good immunologic response following a single WNV vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar S Trachsel
- Klinik für Pferde, allgemeine Chirurgie und Radiologie, Freie Universität Berlin
| | - Karolina Drozdzewska
- Klinik für Pferde, allgemeine Chirurgie und Radiologie, Freie Universität Berlin
| | - Felicitas Bergmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institut für neue und neuartige Tierseuchenerreger, Greifswald-Insel Riems
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institut für neue und neuartige Tierseuchenerreger, Greifswald-Insel Riems
| | - Heidrun Gehlen
- Klinik für Pferde, allgemeine Chirurgie und Radiologie, Freie Universität Berlin
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Schmidt V, Cramer K, Böttcher D, Heenemann K, Rückner A, Harzer M, Ziegler U, Vahlenkamp T, Sieg M. Usutu virus infection in aviary birds during the cold season. Avian Pathol 2021; 50:427-435. [PMID: 34351827 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2021.1962003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The mosquito-borne flavivirus Usutu virus (USUV) is responsible for countless deaths in both resident populations and birds kept in outdoor aviaries. Since 2001, USUV outbreaks attract increased attention due to the rapid geographical spread of the virus and its close relation to West Nile virus (WNV), an emerging pathogen in humans and animals. Similar to WNV, the USUV enzootic transmission cycle predominantly involves Culex spp. as vectors, whereas birds serve as amplifying reservoir hosts. In Europe, USUV-associated disease outbreaks in birds are nearly exclusively described during late spring and early autumn (early April to late October). Contagiousness of virus particles excreted by infected animals has not yet been proven, so that the role of non-vector-borne transmission, as it is known for the closely related WNV, remains unclear. Here we report the diagnosis of USUV infection in 15 of 24 birds from mortality outbreaks in eight different aviaries located in Germany, that occured during the cold season between late October 2018 and early April 2019. Detection of USUV was performed using standardized molecular biological methods and immunohistochemistry for verification of the infection. USUV infection in a parrot species, a tropical finch and two estrildid finches are reported for the first time. Further research on the occurrence of USUV infection during the cold season is key to understanding the dynamics of viral transmission as well as for a profound health risk assessment for aviary birds as well as humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Schmidt
- Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 17, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kerstin Cramer
- Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 17, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Denny Böttcher
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 33, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kristin Heenemann
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 29, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Antje Rückner
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 29, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maxi Harzer
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 29, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Vahlenkamp
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 29, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Sieg
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 29, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Wang H, Abbo SR, Visser TM, Westenberg M, Geertsema C, Fros JJ, Koenraadt CJM, Pijlman GP. Competition between Usutu virus and West Nile virus during simultaneous and sequential infection of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 9:2642-2652. [PMID: 33215969 PMCID: PMC7738303 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1854623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are closely related mosquito-borne flaviviruses that are mainly transmitted between bird hosts by vector mosquitoes. Infections in humans are incidental but can cause severe disease. USUV is endemic in large parts of Europe, while WNV mainly circulates in Southern Europe. In recent years, WNV is also frequently detected in Northern Europe, thereby expanding the area where both viruses co-circulate. However, it remains unclear how USUV may affect the future spread of WNV and the likelihood of human co-infection. Here we investigated whether co-infections with both viruses in cell lines and their primary mosquito vector, Culex pipiens, affect virus replication and transmission dynamics. We show that USUV is outcompeted by WNV in mammalian, avian and mosquito cells during co-infection. Mosquitoes that were exposed to both viruses simultaneously via infectious blood meal displayed significantly reduced USUV transmission compared to mosquitoes that were only exposed to USUV (from 15% to 3%), while the infection and transmission of WNV was unaffected. In contrast, when mosquitoes were pre-infected with USUV via infectious blood meal, WNV transmission was significantly reduced (from 44% to 17%). Injection experiments established the involvement of the midgut in the observed USUV-mediated WNV inhibition. The competition between USUV and WNV during co-infection clearly indicates that the chance of concurrent USUV and WNV transmission via a single mosquito bite is low. The competitive relation between USUV and WNV may impact virus transmission dynamics in the field and affect the epidemiology of WNV in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidong Wang
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Sandra R Abbo
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Tessa M Visser
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Marcel Westenberg
- Dutch National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO-NL), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Corinne Geertsema
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Young JJ, Haussig JM, Aberle SW, Pervanidou D, Riccardo F, Sekulić N, Bakonyi T, Gossner CM. Epidemiology of human West Nile virus infections in the European Union and European Union enlargement countries, 2010 to 2018. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 26. [PMID: 33988124 PMCID: PMC8120798 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.19.2001095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background West Nile virus (WNV) circulates in an enzootic cycle involving mosquitoes and birds; humans are accidental hosts. Aim We analysed human WNV infections reported between 2010 and 2018 to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to better understand WNV epidemiology. Methods We describe probable and confirmed autochthonous human cases of WNV infection reported by European Union (EU) and EU enlargement countries. Cases with unknown clinical manifestation or with unknown place of infection at NUTS 3 or GAUL 1 level were excluded from analysis. Results From southern, eastern and western Europe, 3,849 WNV human infections and 379 deaths were reported. Most cases occurred between June and October. Two large outbreaks occurred, in 2010 (n = 391) and in 2018 (n = 1,993). The outbreak in 2018 was larger than in all previous years and the first cases were reported unusually early. The number of newly affected areas (n = 45) was higher in 2018 than in previous years suggesting wider spread of WNV. Conclusion Real-time surveillance of WNV infections is key to ensuring that clinicians and public health authorities receive early warning about the occurrence of cases and potential unusual seasonal patterns. Human cases may appear shortly after first detection of animal cases. Therefore, public health authorities should develop preparedness plans before the occurrence of human or animal WNV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna J Young
- These authors contributed equally to this article and share first authorship.,European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Joana M Haussig
- These authors contributed equally to this article and share first authorship.,European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Stephan W Aberle
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Nebojša Sekulić
- Institute for Public Health of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Tamás Bakonyi
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Céline M Gossner
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
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Automatic and sensitive detection of West Nile virus non-structural protein 1 with a portable SERS-LFIA detector. Mikrochim Acta 2021; 188:206. [PMID: 34046739 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-021-04857-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A portable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) detector has been developed for the automatic and highly sensitive detection of West Nile virus (WNV) non-structural protein 1 (NS1) and actual WNV samples. Au@Ag nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs) labeled with double-layer Raman molecules were used as SERS tags to prepare WNV-specific SERS-LFIA strips. On this platform, the WNV-specific antigen NS1 protein was quantitatively and sensitively detected. The detection limit for the WNV NS1 protein was 0.1 ng/mL, which was 100-fold more sensitive than visual signals. The detection limit for inactivated WNV virions was 0.2 × 102 copies/μL. The sensitivity of the SERS-LFIA detector was comparable to that of the fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. The prepared SERS-LFIA strips exhibited high sensitivity and good specificity for WNV. Thus, the strips developed herein have clinical application value. Moreover, the portable SERS-LFIA detector enabled automatic and rapid detection of the SERS-LFIA strips. The platform established herein is expected to make a substantial contribution to the diagnosis and control of outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, including WNV.
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62
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Ewing DA, Purse BV, Cobbold CA, White SM. A novel approach for predicting risk of vector-borne disease establishment in marginal temperate environments under climate change: West Nile virus in the UK. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210049. [PMID: 34034529 PMCID: PMC8150030 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs), such as dengue, Zika, West Nile virus (WNV) and tick-borne encephalitis, account for substantial human morbidity worldwide and have expanded their range into temperate regions in recent decades. Climate change has been proposed as a likely driver of past and future expansion, however, the complex ecology of host and vector populations and their interactions with each other, environmental variables and land-use changes makes understanding the likely impacts of climate change on VBDs challenging. We present an environmentally driven, stage-structured, host-vector mathematical modelling framework to address this challenge. We apply our framework to predict the risk of WNV outbreaks in current and future UK climates. WNV is a mosquito-borne arbovirus which has expanded its range in mainland Europe in recent years. We predict that, while risks will remain low in the coming two to three decades, the risk of WNV outbreaks in the UK will increase with projected temperature rises and outbreaks appear plausible in the latter half of this century. This risk will increase substantially if increased temperatures lead to increases in the length of the mosquito biting season or if European strains show higher replication at lower temperatures than North American strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Ewing
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, James Clerk Maxwell Building, The King’s Buildings, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Bethan V. Purse
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Christina A. Cobbold
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Steven M. White
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK
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63
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Genetic Characterization of a Neurovirulent West Nile Virus Variant Associated with a Fatal Great Grey Owl Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040699. [PMID: 33920598 PMCID: PMC8073349 DOI: 10.3390/v13040699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study reports on a fatal case of a captive great grey owl infected with the West Nile virus (WNV) in the zoological garden Košice, eastern Slovakia (Central Europe). The tissue samples of the dead owl were used for virus isolation and genetic characterization. The novel isolate is genetically closer to Hungarian, Greek, and Bulgarian strains from the central/southern European clade of lineage 2 than to the strains previously isolated in Slovakia. Interestingly, it carries NS3-249P, a molecular virulence determinant associated with higher neurovirulence, which has not previously been observed in Slovakia. Subsequent serological investigation of the captive owls revealed additional seropositive animals, indicating local WNV transmission. Although no WNV-positive mosquitoes were found, the presence of the WNV principal vector Culex pipiens complex together with the described fatal case and further serological findings indicate an endemic focus of bird-neurovirulent WNV variant in the area.
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64
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Folly AJ, Dorey-Robinson D, Hernández-Triana LM, Ackroyd S, Vidana B, Lean FZX, Hicks D, Nuñez A, Johnson N. Temperate conditions restrict Japanese encephalitis virus infection to the mid-gut and prevents systemic dissemination in Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6133. [PMID: 33731761 PMCID: PMC7971067 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85411-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is the main cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. However, with changing climate JEV has the potential to emerge in novel temperate regions. Here, we have assessed the vector competence of the temperate mosquito Culex pipiens f. pipiens to vector JEV genotype III at temperatures representative of those experienced, or predicted in the future during the summer months, in the United Kingdom. Our results show that Cx. pipiens is susceptible to JEV infection at both temperatures. In addition, at 25 °C, JEV disseminated from the midgut and was recovered in saliva samples, indicating the potential for transmission. At a lower temperature, 20 °C, following an incubation period of fourteen days, there were reduced levels of JEV dissemination and virus was not detected in saliva samples. The virus present in the bodies of these mosquitoes was restricted to the posterior midgut as determined by microscopy and viable virus was successfully recovered. Apart from the influence on virus dissemination, mosquito mortality was significantly increased at the higher temperature. Overall, our results suggest that temperature is a critical factor for JEV vector competence and infected-mosquito survival. This may in turn influence the vectorial capacity of Cx. pipiens to vector JEV genotype III in temperate areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arran J Folly
- Arbovirus Research Team, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.
| | - Daniel Dorey-Robinson
- Arbovirus Research Team, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.,Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Woking, Surrey, GU24 ONF, UK
| | - Luis M Hernández-Triana
- Arbovirus Research Team, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Stuart Ackroyd
- Pathology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Beatriz Vidana
- Pathology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.,Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK
| | - Fabian Z X Lean
- Pathology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Daniel Hicks
- Pathology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Alejandro Nuñez
- Pathology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Arbovirus Research Team, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.,Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
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65
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Santos PD, Michel F, Wylezich C, Höper D, Keller M, Holicki CM, Szentiks CA, Eiden M, Muluneh A, Neubauer-Juric A, Thalheim S, Globig A, Beer M, Groschup MH, Ziegler U. Co-infections: Simultaneous detections of West Nile virus and Usutu virus in birds from Germany. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:776-792. [PMID: 33655706 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in Europe resulted in significant outbreaks leading to avifauna mortality and human infections. Both viruses have overlapping geographical, host and vector ranges, and are often co-circulating in Europe. In Germany, a nationwide bird surveillance network was established to monitor these zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses in migratory and resident birds. In this framework, co-infections with WNV and USUV were detected in six dead birds collected in 2018 and 2019. Genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses classified the detected WNV strains as lineage 2 and the USUV strains as lineages Africa 2 (n = 2), Africa 3 (n = 3) and Europe 2 (n = 1). Preliminary attempts to co-propagate both viruses in vitro failed. However, we successfully cultivated WNV from two animals. Further evidence for WNV-USUV co-infection was obtained by sampling live birds in four zoological gardens with confirmed WNV cases. Three snowy owls had high neutralizing antibody titres against both WNV and USUV, of which two were also positive for USUV-RNA. In conclusion, further reports of co-infections in animals as well as in humans are expected in the future, particularly in areas where both viruses are present in the vector population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Dianne Santos
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Friederike Michel
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Markus Keller
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Cora M Holicki
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Aemero Muluneh
- Saxon State Laboratory of Health and Veterinary Affairs, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Sabine Thalheim
- Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
| | - Anja Globig
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
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66
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Pietsch C, Michalski D, Münch J, Petros S, Bergs S, Trawinski H, Lübbert C, Liebert UG. Autochthonous West Nile virus infection outbreak in humans, Leipzig, Germany, August to September 2020. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 25. [PMID: 33213686 PMCID: PMC7678033 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.46.2001786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Following a distinct summer heat wave, nine autochthonous cases of West Nile fever and West Nile neuroinvasive disease, including one fatality, were observed in Leipzig, Germany, in August and September 2020. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated close relationships in viruses from humans, animals and mosquitos in eastern Germany, obtained during the preceding 2 years. The described large cluster of autochthonous West Nile virus infections in Germany indicates endemic seasonal circulation of lineage 2 viruses in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Pietsch
- Institute of Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany; Interdisciplinary Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dominik Michalski
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Münch
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Endocrinology, Nephrology and Rheumatology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sirak Petros
- Medical ICU, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sandra Bergs
- Institute of Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany; Interdisciplinary Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henning Trawinski
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany; Interdisciplinary Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Lübbert
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany; Interdisciplinary Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uwe G Liebert
- Institute of Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany; Interdisciplinary Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
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67
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Wylezich C, Calvelage S, Schlottau K, Ziegler U, Pohlmann A, Höper D, Beer M. Next-generation diagnostics: virus capture facilitates a sensitive viral diagnosis for epizootic and zoonotic pathogens including SARS-CoV-2. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:51. [PMID: 33610182 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00973-z/figures/4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The detection of pathogens in clinical and environmental samples using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) is often hampered by large amounts of background information, which is especially true for viruses with small genomes. Enormous sequencing depth can be necessary to compile sufficient information for identification of a certain pathogen. Generic HTS combining with in-solution capture enrichment can markedly increase the sensitivity for virus detection in complex diagnostic samples. METHODS A virus panel based on the principle of biotinylated RNA baits was developed for specific capture enrichment of epizootic and zoonotic viruses (VirBaits). The VirBaits set was supplemented by a SARS-CoV-2 predesigned bait set for testing recent SARS-CoV-2-positive samples. Libraries generated from complex samples were sequenced via generic HTS (without enrichment) and afterwards enriched with the VirBaits set. For validation, an internal proficiency test for emerging epizootic and zoonotic viruses (African swine fever virus, Ebolavirus, Marburgvirus, Nipah henipavirus, Rift Valley fever virus) was conducted. RESULTS The VirBaits set consists of 177,471 RNA baits (80-mer) based on about 18,800 complete viral genomes targeting 35 epizootic and zoonotic viruses. In all tested samples, viruses with both DNA and RNA genomes were clearly enriched ranging from about 10-fold to 10,000-fold for viruses including distantly related viruses with at least 72% overall identity to viruses represented in the bait set. Viruses showing a lower overall identity (38% and 46%) to them were not enriched but could nonetheless be detected based on capturing conserved genome regions. The internal proficiency test supports the improved virus detection using the combination of HTS plus targeted enrichment but also points to the risk of cross-contamination between samples. CONCLUSIONS The VirBaits approach showed a high diagnostic performance, also for distantly related viruses. The bait set is modular and expandable according to the favored diagnostics, health sector, or research question. The risk of cross-contamination needs to be taken into consideration. The application of the RNA-baits principle turned out to be user friendly, and even non-experts can easily use the VirBaits workflow. The rapid extension of the established VirBaits set adapted to actual outbreak events is possible as shown for SARS-CoV-2. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Sten Calvelage
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kore Schlottau
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Pohlmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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68
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Wylezich C, Calvelage S, Schlottau K, Ziegler U, Pohlmann A, Höper D, Beer M. Next-generation diagnostics: virus capture facilitates a sensitive viral diagnosis for epizootic and zoonotic pathogens including SARS-CoV-2. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:51. [PMID: 33610182 PMCID: PMC7896545 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00973-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The detection of pathogens in clinical and environmental samples using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) is often hampered by large amounts of background information, which is especially true for viruses with small genomes. Enormous sequencing depth can be necessary to compile sufficient information for identification of a certain pathogen. Generic HTS combining with in-solution capture enrichment can markedly increase the sensitivity for virus detection in complex diagnostic samples. METHODS A virus panel based on the principle of biotinylated RNA baits was developed for specific capture enrichment of epizootic and zoonotic viruses (VirBaits). The VirBaits set was supplemented by a SARS-CoV-2 predesigned bait set for testing recent SARS-CoV-2-positive samples. Libraries generated from complex samples were sequenced via generic HTS (without enrichment) and afterwards enriched with the VirBaits set. For validation, an internal proficiency test for emerging epizootic and zoonotic viruses (African swine fever virus, Ebolavirus, Marburgvirus, Nipah henipavirus, Rift Valley fever virus) was conducted. RESULTS The VirBaits set consists of 177,471 RNA baits (80-mer) based on about 18,800 complete viral genomes targeting 35 epizootic and zoonotic viruses. In all tested samples, viruses with both DNA and RNA genomes were clearly enriched ranging from about 10-fold to 10,000-fold for viruses including distantly related viruses with at least 72% overall identity to viruses represented in the bait set. Viruses showing a lower overall identity (38% and 46%) to them were not enriched but could nonetheless be detected based on capturing conserved genome regions. The internal proficiency test supports the improved virus detection using the combination of HTS plus targeted enrichment but also points to the risk of cross-contamination between samples. CONCLUSIONS The VirBaits approach showed a high diagnostic performance, also for distantly related viruses. The bait set is modular and expandable according to the favored diagnostics, health sector, or research question. The risk of cross-contamination needs to be taken into consideration. The application of the RNA-baits principle turned out to be user friendly, and even non-experts can easily use the VirBaits workflow. The rapid extension of the established VirBaits set adapted to actual outbreak events is possible as shown for SARS-CoV-2. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Sten Calvelage
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kore Schlottau
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Pohlmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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69
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García-Carrasco JM, Muñoz AR, Olivero J, Segura M, Real R. Predicting the spatio-temporal spread of West Nile virus in Europe. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009022. [PMID: 33411739 PMCID: PMC7790247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus is a widely spread arthropod-born virus, which has mosquitoes as vectors and birds as reservoirs. Humans, as dead-end hosts of the virus, may suffer West Nile Fever (WNF), which sometimes leads to death. In Europe, the first large-scale epidemic of WNF occurred in 1996 in Romania. Since then, human cases have increased in the continent, where the highest number of cases occurred in 2018. Using the location of WNF cases in 2017 and favorability models, we developed two risk models, one environmental and the other spatio-environmental, and tested their capacity to predict in 2018: 1) the location of WNF; 2) the intensity of the outbreaks (i.e. the number of confirmed human cases); and 3) the imminence of the cases (i.e. the Julian week in which the first case occurred). We found that climatic variables (the maximum temperature of the warmest month and the annual temperature range), human-related variables (rain-fed agriculture, the density of poultry and horses), and topo-hydrographic variables (the presence of rivers and altitude) were the best environmental predictors of WNF outbreaks in Europe. The spatio-environmental model was the most useful in predicting the location of WNF outbreaks, which suggests that a spatial structure, probably related to bird migration routes, has a role in the geographical pattern of WNF in Europe. Both the intensity of cases and their imminence were best predicted using the environmental model, suggesting that these features of the disease are linked to the environmental characteristics of the areas. We highlight the relevance of river basins in the propagation dynamics of the disease, as outbreaks started in the lower parts of the river basins, from where WNF spread towards the upper parts. Therefore, river basins should be considered as operational geographic units for the public health management of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- José-María García-Carrasco
- Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonio-Román Muñoz
- Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Jesús Olivero
- Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Marina Segura
- International Vaccination Center of Malaga, Maritime Port of Malaga, Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare, Government of Spain, Málaga, Spain
| | - Raimundo Real
- Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
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70
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Holicki CM, Scheuch DE, Ziegler U, Lettow J, Kampen H, Werner D, Groschup MH. German Culex pipiens biotype molestus and Culex torrentium are vector-competent for Usutu virus. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:625. [PMID: 33380339 PMCID: PMC7774236 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04532-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Usutu virus (USUV) is a rapidly spreading zoonotic arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus) and a considerable threat to the global avifauna and in isolated cases to human health. It is maintained in an enzootic cycle involving ornithophilic mosquitoes as vectors and birds as reservoir hosts. Despite massive die-offs in wild bird populations and the detection of severe neurological symptoms in infected humans, little is known about which mosquito species are involved in the propagation of USUV. METHODS In the present study, the vector competence of a German (i.e. "Central European") and a Serbian (i.e. "Southern European") Culex pipiens biotype molestus laboratory colony was experimentally evaluated. For comparative purposes, Culex torrentium, a frequent species in Northern Europe, and Aedes aegypti, a primarily tropical species, were also tested. Adult female mosquitoes were exposed to bovine blood spiked with USUV Africa 2 and subsequently incubated at 25 °C. After 2 to 3 weeks saliva was collected from each individual mosquito to assess the ability of a mosquito species to transmit USUV. RESULTS Culex pipiens biotype molestus mosquitoes originating from Germany and the Republic of Serbia and Cx. torrentium mosquitoes from Germany proved competent for USUV, as indicated by harboring viable virus in their saliva 21 days post infection. By contrast, Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were relatively refractory to an USUV infection, exhibiting low infection rates and lacking virus in their saliva. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with the high prevalences and abundances of Cx. pipiens biotype molestus and Cx. torrentium in Central and Northern Europe, these two species have most likely played a historic role in the spread, maintenance, and introduction of USUV into Germany. Identification of the key USUV vectors enables the establishment and implementation of rigorous entomological surveillance programs and the development of effective, evidence-based vector control interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora M Holicki
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Dorothee E Scheuch
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Julia Lettow
- Institute of Infectiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Helge Kampen
- Institute of Infectiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Biodiversity of Aquatic and Semiaquatic Landscape Features, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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71
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Fiacre L, Pagès N, Albina E, Richardson J, Lecollinet S, Gonzalez G. Molecular Determinants of West Nile Virus Virulence and Pathogenesis in Vertebrate and Invertebrate Hosts. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239117. [PMID: 33266206 PMCID: PMC7731113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV), like the dengue virus (DENV) and yellow fever virus (YFV), are major arboviruses belonging to the Flavivirus genus. WNV is emerging or endemic in many countries around the world, affecting humans and other vertebrates. Since 1999, it has been considered to be a major public and veterinary health problem, causing diverse pathologies, ranging from a mild febrile state to severe neurological damage and death. WNV is transmitted in a bird–mosquito–bird cycle, and can occasionally infect humans and horses, both highly susceptible to the virus but considered dead-end hosts. Many studies have investigated the molecular determinants of WNV virulence, mainly with the ultimate objective of guiding vaccine development. Several vaccines are used in horses in different parts of the world, but there are no licensed WNV vaccines for humans, suggesting the need for greater understanding of the molecular determinants of virulence and antigenicity in different hosts. Owing to technical and economic considerations, WNV virulence factors have essentially been studied in rodent models, and the results cannot always be transported to mosquito vectors or to avian hosts. In this review, the known molecular determinants of WNV virulence, according to invertebrate (mosquitoes) or vertebrate hosts (mammalian and avian), are presented and discussed. This overview will highlight the differences and similarities found between WNV hosts and models, to provide a foundation for the prediction and anticipation of WNV re-emergence and its risk of global spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Fiacre
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97170 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, France; (N.P.); (E.A.)
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Nonito Pagès
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97170 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, France; (N.P.); (E.A.)
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Emmanuel Albina
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97170 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, France; (N.P.); (E.A.)
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Jennifer Richardson
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-1-43967376
| | - Gaëlle Gonzalez
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
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72
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Folly AJ, Waller ESL, McCracken F, McElhinney LM, Roberts H, Johnson N. Equine seroprevalence of West Nile virus antibodies in the UK in 2019. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:596. [PMID: 33243297 PMCID: PMC7690108 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04481-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background West Nile virus (WNV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that can cause neurological disease in both humans and horses. Due to the movement of competent vectors and viraemic hosts, WNV has repeatedly emerged globally and more recently in western Europe. Within the UK, WNV is a notifiable disease in horses, and vaccines against the virus are commercially available. However, there has been no investigation into the seroprevalence of WNV in the UK equine population to determine the extent of vaccination or to provide evidence of recent infection. Methods Equine serum samples were obtained from the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s equine testing service between August and November 2019. A total of 988 serum samples were selected for horses resident in South East England. WNV seroprevalence was determined using two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to detect total flavivirus antibodies and WNV-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Positive IgM results were investigated by contacting the submitting veterinarian to establish the clinical history or evidence of prior vaccination of the horses in question. Results Within the cohort, 274 samples tested positive for flavivirus antibodies, of which two subsequently tested positive for WNV-specific IgM antibodies. The follow-up investigation established that both horses had been vaccinated prior to serum samples being drawn, which resulted in an IgM-positive response. All the samples that tested positive by competition ELISA were from horses set to be exported to countries where WNV is endemic. Consequently, the positive results were likely due to previous vaccination. In contrast, 714 samples were seronegative, indicating that the majority of the UK equine population may be susceptible to WNV infection. Conclusions There was no evidence for cryptic WNV infection in a cohort of horses sampled in England in 2019. All IgM-seropositive cases were due to vaccination; this should be noted for future epidemiological surveys in the event of a disease outbreak, as it is not possible to distinguish vaccinated from infected horses without knowledge of their clinical histories.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Arran J Folly
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, UK.
| | | | - Fiona McCracken
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, UK
| | - Lorraine M McElhinney
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, UK.,Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Helen Roberts
- Exotic Disease Control Team, Defra, 17 Smith Square, London, UK
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, UK.,Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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73
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Fares W, Gdoura M, Dhrif H, Touzi H, Hogga N, Hannachi N, Mhalla S, Kacem S, Karray H, Bougatef S, Ben-Alaya N, Triki H. Genetic characterization of West Nile Virus strains during neuroinvasives infection outbreak in Tunisia, 2018. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2414-2421. [PMID: 33128297 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is an arbovirus transmitted by mosquito bite involving birds as reservoirs, humans and equines as accidental hosts. Eight distinct lineages (WNV-1 to WNV-8) have been identified: WNV-1 and WNV-2 infect humans and animals, and WNV-3 to WNV-8 have been identified only in vectors. WNV has been implicated in neuroinvasives infections, especially meningitis and encephalitis. Tunisia experienced three epidemics in 1997, 2003 and 2012. Serological studies on humans, equines and birds as well as the detection of the virus in the vector favour a fairly frequent circulation in the country. A new epidemic has been observed in Tunisia between August and November 2018. The obtained sequences of the VWN from Tunisia 2018 grouped in a distinct monophyletic group within the Mediterranean subtype in Cluster 1, with a maximum of 2% nucleotide divergence. These sequences were clearly distinct from the Tunisia 1997, which grouped with sequences mainly from USA in Cluster 2. This work reports the genetic characterization of the Tunisia 2018 strain in comparison with the previously identified strains in Tunisia and worldwide. The epidemic virus Tunisia 2018 was genetically close to the Mediterranean basin and Eastern Europe sequences but distinct from the Tunisia 1997 closely related to the American sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mariem Gdoura
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Haifa Dhrif
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nahed Hogga
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Naila Hannachi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Salma Mhalla
- Laboratory of Microbiology, CHU Fattouma Bourguiba, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Saoussen Kacem
- Laboratory of Microbiology, CHU Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Hela Karray
- Laboratory of Microbiology, CHU Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Souha Bougatef
- National Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases, Ministry of Health, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nissaf Ben-Alaya
- National Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases, Ministry of Health, Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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74
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Contrasted Epidemiological Patterns of West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2 Infections in France from 2015 to 2019. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9110908. [PMID: 33143300 PMCID: PMC7692118 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 2015, annual West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks of varying intensities have been reported in France. Recent intensification of enzootic WNV circulation was observed in the South of France with most horse cases detected in 2015 (n = 49), 2018 (n = 13), and 2019 (n = 13). A WNV lineage 1 strain was isolated from a horse suffering from West Nile neuro-invasive disease (WNND) during the 2015 episode in the Camargue area. A breaking point in WNV epidemiology was achieved in 2018, when WNV lineage 2 emerged in Southeastern areas. This virus most probably originated from WNV spread from Northern Italy and caused WNND in humans and the death of diurnal raptors. WNV lineage 2 emergence was associated with the most important human WNV epidemics identified so far in France (n = 26, including seven WNND cases and two infections in blood and organ donors). Two other major findings were the detection of WNV in areas with no or limited history of WNV circulation (Alpes-Maritimes in 2018, Corsica in 2018–2019, and Var in 2019) and distinct spatial distribution of human and horse WNV cases. These new data reinforce the necessity to enhance French WNV surveillance to better anticipate future WNV epidemics and epizootics and to improve the safety of blood and organ donations.
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75
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Islam A, Islam S, Hossain ME, Ferdous J, Abedin J, Ziaur Rahman M, Rahman MK, Hoque MA, Hassan MM. Serological Evidence of West Nile Virus in Wild Birds in Bangladesh. Vet Sci 2020; 7:vetsci7040164. [PMID: 33126740 PMCID: PMC7712446 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7040164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a vector-borne zoonotic disease maintained in a sylvatic cycle involving mosquito vectors and birds. To detect WNV and other flavivirus infections in wild resident and migratory birds, we tested 184 samples from 19 identified species within nine families collected during 2012–2016 from four districts in Bangladesh. We tested serum samples for the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody against WNV using competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA), whereas tracheal and cloacal swabs were subjected to consensus Polymerase Chain Reaction (c-PCR) for the detection of the flavivirus RNA. Overall, we detected 11.9% (n = 22; 95% CI: 0.07–0.16) samples were seropositive, including 15.9% in the migratory wild birds and 10.7% in the resident wild birds. The migratory wild Tufted duck showed 28.5% seropositivity, whereas the resident wild house crows showed 12.5% seropositivity. None of the swab samples was positive for flavivirus RNA infection (0%, n = 184; 95% CI: 0–0.019). These study findings recommend continued surveillance for early detection and to better understand the epidemiology of WNV and other flavivirus circulation in both birds and mosquitoes in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariful Islam
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Campus, VIC 3216, Australia
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY 10001-2023, USA; (S.I.); (J.F.); (J.A.); (M.K.R.)
- Correspondence: (A.I.); (M.M.H.)
| | - Shariful Islam
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY 10001-2023, USA; (S.I.); (J.F.); (J.A.); (M.K.R.)
- Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1241, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Enayet Hossain
- International Centre for Diarrheal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (M.E.H.); (M.Z.R.)
| | - Jinnat Ferdous
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY 10001-2023, USA; (S.I.); (J.F.); (J.A.); (M.K.R.)
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Josefina Abedin
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY 10001-2023, USA; (S.I.); (J.F.); (J.A.); (M.K.R.)
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Ziaur Rahman
- International Centre for Diarrheal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (M.E.H.); (M.Z.R.)
| | - Md. Kaisar Rahman
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY 10001-2023, USA; (S.I.); (J.F.); (J.A.); (M.K.R.)
| | - Md. Ahasanul Hoque
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh;
| | - Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram 4225, Bangladesh;
- Correspondence: (A.I.); (M.M.H.)
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76
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Răileanu C, Tauchmann O, Vasić A, Neumann U, Tews BA, Silaghi C. Transstadial Transmission and Replication Kinetics of West Nile Virus Lineage 1 in Laboratory Reared Ixodes ricinus Ticks. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9100780. [PMID: 32987685 PMCID: PMC7650586 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9100780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne agent that has also been isolated from several tick species. Vector competence of Ixodes ricinus, one of the most common tick species in Europe, has been poorly investigated for WNV to date. As such, to evaluate the vector competence, laboratory reared Ixodes ricinus nymphs were in vitro fed with WNV lineage 1 infectious blood, allowed to molt, and the resulting females artificially fed to study the virus transmission. Furthermore, we studied the kinetics of WNV replication in ticks after infecting nymphs using an automatic injector. Active replication of WNV was detected in injected nymphs from day 7 post-infection until 28 dpi. In the nymphs infected by artificial feeding, the transstadial transmission of WNV was confirmed molecularly in 46.7% of males, while virus transmission during in vitro feeding of I. ricinus females originating from infected nymphs was not registered. The long persistence of WNV in I. ricinus ticks did not correlate with the transmission of the virus and it is unlikely that I. ricinus represents a competent vector. However, there is a potential reservoir role that this tick species can play, with hosts potentially acquiring the viral agent after ingesting the infected ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Răileanu
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (U.N.); (B.A.T.)
| | - Oliver Tauchmann
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (U.N.); (B.A.T.)
| | - Ana Vasić
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (U.N.); (B.A.T.)
- Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 4, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ulrike Neumann
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (U.N.); (B.A.T.)
| | - Birke Andrea Tews
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (U.N.); (B.A.T.)
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (U.N.); (B.A.T.)
- Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Domstraße 11, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
- Correspondence:
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77
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Vidaña B, Busquets N, Napp S, Pérez-Ramírez E, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Johnson N. The Role of Birds of Prey in West Nile Virus Epidemiology. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030550. [PMID: 32967268 PMCID: PMC7564710 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Reported human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in Europe increased dramatically in 2018. Lineage 1 strains had been circulating in Euro-Mediterranean countries since the early 1990s. The subsequent introduction of WNV lineage 2 has been responsible for the remarkable upsurge of European WNV outbreaks since 2004, including the dramatic increase in human cases observed since 2018. The virus exists in a natural cycle between mosquitoes and wild birds, with humans and horses acting as dead-end hosts. As the key vertebrate hosts in the transmission cycle of WNV, avian species have been the focus of surveillance across many countries. Raptors appear particularly susceptible to WNV infection, resulting in higher prevalence, and in some cases exhibiting neurological signs that lead to the death of the animal. In addition, birds of prey are known to play an important role as WNV reservoir and potentially amplifying hosts of infection. Importantly, raptor higher susceptibility/prevalence may indicate infection through predation of infected prey. Consequently, they are considered important target species when designing cost-effective surveillance for monitoring both seasonal WNV circulation in endemic countries and its emergence into new areas, where migrating raptors may play a critical role in virus introduction. This review summarizes the different aspects of the current knowledge of WNV infection in birds of prey and evaluates their role in the evolution of the epizootic that is spreading throughout Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Vidaña
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Núria Busquets
- IRTA, Animal Health Research Centre (CReSA IRTA-UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (N.B.); (S.N.)
| | - Sebastian Napp
- IRTA, Animal Health Research Centre (CReSA IRTA-UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (N.B.); (S.N.)
| | - Elisa Pérez-Ramírez
- Animal Health Research Centre INIA-CISA C, 28130 Madrid, Spain; (E.P.-R.); (M.Á.J.-C.)
| | | | - Nicholas Johnson
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK;
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78
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Esser HJ, Liefting Y, Ibáñez-Justicia A, van der Jeugd H, van Turnhout CAM, Stroo A, Reusken CBEM, Koopmans MPG, de Boer WF. Spatial risk analysis for the introduction and circulation of six arboviruses in the Netherlands. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:464. [PMID: 32912330 PMCID: PMC7488554 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04339-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Arboviruses are a growing public health concern in Europe, with both endemic and exotic arboviruses expected to spread further into novel areas in the next decades. Predicting where future outbreaks will occur is a major challenge, particularly for regions where these arboviruses are not endemic. Spatial modelling of ecological risk factors for arbovirus circulation can help identify areas of potential emergence. Moreover, combining hazard maps of different arboviruses may facilitate a cost-efficient, targeted multiplex-surveillance strategy in areas where virus transmission is most likely. Here, we developed predictive hazard maps for the introduction and/or establishment of six arboviruses that were previously prioritized for the Netherlands: West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Rift Valley fever virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, louping-ill virus and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus. Methods Our spatial model included ecological risk factors that were identified as relevant for these arboviruses by an earlier systematic review, including abiotic conditions, vector abundance, and host availability. We used geographic information system (GIS)-based tools and geostatistical analyses to model spatially continuous datasets on these risk factors to identify regions in the Netherlands with suitable ecological conditions for arbovirus introduction and establishment. Results The resulting hazard maps show that there is spatial clustering of areas with either a relatively low or relatively high environmental suitability for arbovirus circulation. Moreover, there was some overlap in high-hazard areas for virus introduction and/or establishment, particularly in the southern part of the country. Conclusions The similarities in environmental suitability for some of the arboviruses provide opportunities for targeted sampling of vectors and/or sentinel hosts in these potential hotspots of emergence, thereby increasing the efficient use of limited resources for surveillance.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Joan Esser
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Yorick Liefting
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Adolfo Ibáñez-Justicia
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Centre (NRC), Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk van der Jeugd
- Vogeltrekstation - Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Chris A M van Turnhout
- Sovon Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Animal Ecology & Ecophysiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Centre (NRC), Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Chantal B E M Reusken
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Department of Viroscience, WHO CC for Arbovirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marion P G Koopmans
- Department of Viroscience, WHO CC for Arbovirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Fred de Boer
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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79
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Pathogenicity of West Nile Virus Lineage 1 to German Poultry. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030507. [PMID: 32899581 PMCID: PMC7563189 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that originates from Africa and at present causes neurological disease in birds, horses, and humans all around the globe. As West Nile fever is an important zoonosis, the role of free-ranging domestic poultry as a source of infection for humans should be evaluated. This study examined the pathogenicity of an Italian WNV lineage 1 strain for domestic poultry (chickens, ducks, and geese) held in Germany. All three species were subcutaneously injected with WNV, and the most susceptible species was also inoculated via mosquito bite. All species developed various degrees of viremia, viral shedding (oropharyngeal and cloacal), virus accumulation, and pathomorphological lesions. Geese were most susceptible, displaying the highest viremia levels. The tested waterfowl, geese, and especially ducks proved to be ideal sentinel species for WNV due to their high antibody levels and relatively low blood viral loads. None of the three poultry species can function as a reservoir/amplifying host for WNV, as their viremia levels most likely do not suffice to infect feeding mosquitoes. Due to the recent appearance of WNV in Germany, future pathogenicity studies should also include local virus strains.
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80
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Kutasi O, Fehér O, Sárdi S, Balogh N, Nagy A, Moravszki L, Bódai E, Szenci O. Characterisation of the cerebrospinal fluid of horses with West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease. Acta Vet Hung 2020; 68:177-185. [PMID: 32894729 DOI: 10.1556/004.2020.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes between wild birds (natural hosts) and other vertebrates. Horses and humans are incidental, dead-end hosts, but can develop severe neurological disorders. Owing to the close contact of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with the extracellular fluid of the brain, the analysis of CSF composition can reflect central nervous system (CNS) impairments enabling the diagnosis and understanding of various neurodegenerative CNS disorders. Our objective was to compare the findings from the CSF samples of horses with neuroinvasive WNV infection with those of healthy controls. We compared findings from fifteen CSF samples of 13 horses with acute WNV encephalomyelitis with those of 20 healthy controls. Protein, particular enzymes and ions, glucose and lactate showed abnormal levels in a significant number of WNV cases. None of the six horses with elevated glucose concentrations survived. Rather neutrophilic than mononuclear pleocytosis was identified with WNV infection. Neutrophils probably play a role in the development of inflammatory response and brain damage. Although elevated glucose levels reliably predicted the outcome, they might be the consequence of increased plasma levels and reflect general stress rather than CNS pathophysiology. The CSF findings of WNV encephalomyelitis patients are non-specific and variable but facilitate the differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsolya Kutasi
- 1University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István Utca 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Fehér
- 1University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István Utca 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Sára Sárdi
- 1University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István Utca 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | | | - Anna Nagy
- 3Department of Virology, National Public Health Institute (NPHI), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Leticia Moravszki
- 1University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István Utca 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Emese Bódai
- 1University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István Utca 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
| | - Ottó Szenci
- 1University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István Utca 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
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81
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Popescu CP, Florescu SA, Ruta SM. West Nile virus in Central Europe - Pandora's box is wide open! Travel Med Infect Dis 2020; 37:101864. [PMID: 32861859 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corneliu Petru Popescu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; Dr Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Simin Aysel Florescu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; Dr Victor Babes Clinical Hospital of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Simona Maria Ruta
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
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Feyer S, Bartenschlager F, Bertram CA, Ziegler U, Fast C, Klopfleisch R, Müller K. Clinical, pathological and virological aspects of fatal West Nile virus infections in ten free-ranging goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in Germany. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:907-919. [PMID: 32743905 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV), a zoonotic arbovirus, is a new epizootic disease in Germany and caused increasing avian and equine mortality since its first detection in 2018. The northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is highly susceptible to fatal WNV disease and thus is considered as an indicator species for WNV emergence in European countries. Therefore, information regarding clinical presentation and pathological findings is important for identifying suspect cases and initiating further virological diagnostics. Between July and September 2019, ten free-ranging goshawks were admitted to the Small Animal Clinic of the Freie Universität Berlin with later confirmed WNV infection. Clinical, pathological and virological findings are summarized in this report. All birds were presented obtunded and in poor to cachectic body condition. Most of the birds were juveniles (8/10) and females (9/10). Neurologic abnormalities were observed in all birds and included stupor (3/10), seizures (3/10), head tremor (2/10), head tilt (2/10), ataxia (2/10) and monoplegia (2/10). Concurrent diseases like aerosacculitis/pneumonia (7/10), clinical infections with Eucoleus spp. and Trichomonas spp. (3/10), trauma-related injuries (3/10) and myiasis (2/10) were found. Blood analysis results were unspecific considering concurrent diseases. Median time of survival was two days. The most common pathological findings were meningoencephalitis (9/10), myocarditis (8/10), iridocyclitis (8/8) and myositis (7/10). WNV infection was diagnosed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and confirmed by serology and immunohistochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Feyer
- Small Animal Clinic, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Bartenschlager
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christof A Bertram
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Fast
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Robert Klopfleisch
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Müller
- Small Animal Clinic, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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83
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Serum neutralising antibody titres against a lineage 2 neuroinvasive West Nile Virus strain in response to vaccination with an inactivated lineage 1 vaccine in a European endemic area. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2020; 227:110087. [PMID: 32629300 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2020.110087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade in Hungary and the neighbouring countries, West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) has been caused in dramatically increasing numbers by lineage 2 West Nile Virus (WNV) strains both in horses and in humans. The disease in this geographical region is seasonal, so vaccination of horses should be carefully scheduled to maintain the highest antibody titres during outbreak periods. The objective of this study was to characterise the serum neutralising (SN) antibody titres against a lineage 2 WNV strain in response to vaccination with an inactivated lineage 1 vaccine (Equip® WNV). Thirty-two seronegative horses were enrolled in the study, 22 horses were allocated to the vaccinated group and 10 retained as unvaccinated controls. Horses were vaccinated according to the product's vaccination guidelines. A primary vaccination of two doses administered 28 days apart was initiated approximately 5 months before the WNV outbreak season, followed by a booster vaccination one year later. Blood samples were collected during a 2-year period to monitor production of SN antibodies against lineage 1 and the enzootic lineage 2 WNV strain. Mean antibody titres against lineage 1 WNV were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the vaccinated group compared to the control group at all-time points after the primary dose of vaccination. Similarly, mean antibody titres against lineage 2 WNV were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the vaccinated group compared to the control group at all time-points except at 6 months after the primary vaccination. SN antibody titres were significantly higher against lineage 1 than lineage 2 at all-time points. According to the results, vaccination with an inactivated lineage 1 vaccine induces antibodies against both WNV lineages 1 and 2 strains up to 2 years after booster vaccination, but in those geographical regions where lineage 2 strains are responsible for seasonal outbreaks, a booster vaccination should be considered earlier than 12 months after primary vaccination.
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84
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El-Sayed A, Kamel M. Climatic changes and their role in emergence and re-emergence of diseases. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:22336-22352. [PMID: 32347486 PMCID: PMC7187803 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08896-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Global warming and the associated climate changes are predictable. They are enhanced by burning of fossil fuels and the emission of huge amounts of CO2 gas which resulted in greenhouse effect. It is expected that the average global temperature will increase with 2-5 °C in the next decades. As a result, the earth will exhibit marked climatic changes characterized by extremer weather events in the coming decades, such as the increase in temperature, rainfall, summertime, droughts, more frequent and stronger tornadoes and hurricanes. Epidemiological disease cycle includes host, pathogen and in certain cases intermediate host/vector. A complex mixture of various environmental conditions (e.g. temperature and humidity) determines the suitable habitat/ecological niche for every vector host. The availability of suitable vectors is a precondition for the emergence of vector-borne pathogens. Climate changes and global warming will have catastrophic effects on human, animal and environmental ecosystems. Pathogens, especially neglected tropical disease agents, are expected to emerge and re-emerge in several countries including Europe and North America. The lives of millions of people especially in developing countries will be at risk in direct and indirect ways. In the present review, the role of climate changes in the spread of infectious agents and their vectors is discussed. Examples of the major emerging viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr El-Sayed
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Kamel
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
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85
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Holicki CM, Ziegler U, Răileanu C, Kampen H, Werner D, Schulz J, Silaghi C, Groschup MH, Vasić A. West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Vector Competence of Indigenous Culex and Aedes Mosquitoes from Germany at Temperate Climate Conditions. Viruses 2020; 12:v12050561. [PMID: 32438619 PMCID: PMC7291008 DOI: 10.3390/v12050561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a widespread zoonotic arbovirus and a threat to public health in Germany since its first emergence in 2018. It has become of particular relevance in Germany in 2019 due to its rapid geographical spread and the detection of the first human clinical cases. The susceptibility of indigenous Culex pipiens (biotypes pipiens and molestus) for a German WNV lineage 2 strain was experimentally compared to that of Serbian Cx. pipiens biotype molestus and invasive German Aedes albopictus. All tested populations proved to be competent laboratory vectors of WNV. Culex pipiens biotype pipiens displayed the highest transmission efficiencies (40.0%–52.9%) at 25 °C. This biotype was also able to transmit WNV at 18 °C (transmission efficiencies of 4.4%–8.3%), proving that temperate climates in Central and Northern Europe may support WNV circulation. Furthermore, due to their feeding behaviors, Cx. pipiens biotype molestus and Ae. albopictus can act as “bridge vectors”, leading to human WNV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora M. Holicki
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.M.H.); (U.Z.); (J.S.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.M.H.); (U.Z.); (J.S.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Cristian Răileanu
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (H.K.); (C.S.)
| | - Helge Kampen
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (H.K.); (C.S.)
| | - Doreen Werner
- Biodiversity of Aquatic and Semiaquatic Landscape Features, Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, 15374 Muencheberg, Germany;
| | - Jana Schulz
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.M.H.); (U.Z.); (J.S.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (H.K.); (C.S.)
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.M.H.); (U.Z.); (J.S.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Ana Vasić
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (C.R.); (H.K.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence:
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86
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Oymans J, van Keulen L, Wichgers Schreur PJ, Kortekaas J. Early Pathogenesis of Wesselsbron Disease in Pregnant Ewes. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050373. [PMID: 32414152 PMCID: PMC7281025 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Wesselsbron virus (WSLV) is a neglected, mosquito-borne flavivirus that is endemic to the African continent. The virus is teratogenic to ruminants and causes a self-limiting febrile illness in humans. Wesselsbron disease manifests with similar clinical signs and occurs in the same areas under the same climatic conditions as Rift Valley fever, which is therefore included in the differential diagnosis. Although the gross pathology of WSLV infection in pregnant ewes is reported in literature, the pathogenesis that leads to stillbirths, congenital malformations and abortion has remained undescribed. In the present study, pregnant ewes were inoculated with WSLV and subjected to detailed clinical- and histopathology 8 days later. The virus was mainly detected in foetal trophoblasts of the placenta and in neural progenitor cells, differentiated neurons, oligodendrocytes, microglia and astrocytes. Our study demonstrates that WSLV efficiently crosses the maternal-foetal interface and is highly neuroinvasive in the ovine foetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Oymans
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (J.O.); (L.v.K.); (P.J.W.S.)
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lucien van Keulen
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (J.O.); (L.v.K.); (P.J.W.S.)
| | - Paul J. Wichgers Schreur
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (J.O.); (L.v.K.); (P.J.W.S.)
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (J.O.); (L.v.K.); (P.J.W.S.)
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-6-20919110
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87
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Kampen H, Holicki CM, Ziegler U, Groschup MH, Tews BA, Werner D. West Nile Virus Mosquito Vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany. Viruses 2020; 12:v12050493. [PMID: 32354202 PMCID: PMC7290393 DOI: 10.3390/v12050493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2018, West Nile virus (WNV) broke out for the first time in Germany, with continuation of the epidemic in 2019, involving birds, horses and humans. To identify vectors and characterize the virus, mosquitoes were collected in both years in zoological gardens and on a horse meadow immediately following the diagnosis of disease cases in birds and horses. Mosquitoes were identified and screened for WNV by qRT-PCR, with virus-positive samples being sequenced for the viral envelope protein gene. While no positive mosquitoes were found in 2018, seven mosquito pools tested positive for WNV in 2019 in the Tierpark (Wildlife Park) Berlin. The pools consisted of Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens (n = 5), and a mixture of Cx. p. biotype pipiens and Cx. p. biotype molestus (n = 2), or hybrids of these, and were collected between 13 August and 24 September 2019. The virus strain turned out to be nearly identical to two WNV strains isolated from birds diseased in 2018 in eastern Germany. The findings represent the first demonstration of WNV in mosquitoes in Germany and include the possibility of local overwintering of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Infectology, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Cora M. Holicki
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Birke Andrea Tews
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Infectology, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Doreen Werner
- Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, 15374 Muencheberg, Germany
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88
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West Nile Virus Epidemic in Germany Triggered by Epizootic Emergence, 2019. Viruses 2020; 12:v12040448. [PMID: 32326472 PMCID: PMC7232143 DOI: 10.3390/v12040448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
One year after the first autochthonous transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) to birds and horses in Germany, an epizootic emergence of WNV was again observed in 2019. The number of infected birds and horses was considerably higher compared to 2018 (12 birds, two horses), resulting in the observation of the first WNV epidemy in Germany: 76 cases in birds, 36 in horses and five confirmed mosquito-borne, autochthonous human cases. We demonstrated that Germany experienced several WNV introduction events and that strains of a distinct group (Eastern German WNV clade), which was introduced to Germany as a single introduction event, dominated mosquito, birds, horse and human-related virus variants in 2018 and 2019. Virus strains in this clade are characterized by a specific-Lys2114Arg mutation, which might lead to an increase in viral fitness. Extraordinary high temperatures in 2018/2019 allowed a low extrinsic incubation period (EIP), which drove the epizootic emergence and, in the end, most likely triggered the 2019 epidemic. Spatiotemporal EIP values correlated with the geographical WNV incidence. This study highlights the risk of a further spread in Germany in the next years with additional human WNV infections. Thus, surveillance of birds is essential to provide an early epidemic warning and thus, initiate targeted control measures.
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89
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Wöhnke E, Vasic A, Raileanu C, Holicki CM, Tews BA, Silaghi C. Comparison of vector competence of Aedes vexans Green River and Culex pipiens biotype pipiens for West Nile virus lineages 1 and 2. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:416-424. [PMID: 32162489 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV), a zoonotic arbovirus, has recently established an autochthonous transmission cycle in Germany. In dead-end hosts like humans and horses the WNV infection may cause severe symptoms in the central nervous system. In nature, WNV is maintained in an enzootic transmission cycle between birds and ornithophilic mosquitoes. Bridge vector species, such as members of the Culex pipiens complex and Aedes spp., also widely distributed in Germany, might transmit WNV to other vertebrate host species. This study determined and compared the vector competence of field-collected northern-German Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens and laboratory-reared Ae. vexans Green River (GR) for WNV lineage 1 (strain: Magpie/Italy/203204) and WNV lineage 2 (strain: "Austria") under temperatures typical for northern Germany in spring/summer and autumn. For assessment of vector competence, 7- to 14-day-old female mosquitoes were offered a WNV containing blood meal via Hemotek membrane feeding system or cotton-stick feeding. After incubation at 18°C respectively 24°C for 14 days engorged female mosquitoes were salivated and dissected for determination of infection, dissemination and transmission rates by reverse transcriptase quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Both Ae. vexans GR and Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens were infected with both tested WNV strains and tested 14 days post-inoculation. Disseminated infections were detected only in Ae. vexans GR incubated at 18°C and in Cx. pipiens pipiens incubated at 24°C after infection with WNV lineage 1. Transmission of WNV lineage 1 was detected in Cx. pipiens pipiens incubated at 24°C. These results indicate that Cx. pipiens pipiens from Northern Germany may be involved in the transmission of WNV, also to dead-end hosts like humans and horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Wöhnke
- Laboratory of Vector Capacity, Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ana Vasic
- Laboratory of Vector Capacity, Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Cristian Raileanu
- Laboratory of Vector Capacity, Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Cora Marielle Holicki
- Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Birke Andrea Tews
- Laboratory for Molecular Vector-Pathogen-Interaction, Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- Laboratory of Vector Capacity, Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Germany.,University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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90
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Folly AJ, Dorey-Robinson D, Hernández-Triana LM, Phipps LP, Johnson N. Emerging Threats to Animals in the United Kingdom by Arthropod-Borne Diseases. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:20. [PMID: 32118054 PMCID: PMC7010938 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, arthropod-borne disease transmission represents one of the greatest threats to public and animal health. For the British Isles, an island group on the north-western coast of continental Europe consisting of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland, physical separation offers a barrier to the introduction of many of the pathogens that affect animals on the rest of the continent. Added to this are strict biosecurity rules at ports of entry and the depauperate vector biodiversity found on the islands. Nevertheless, there are some indigenous arthropod-borne pathogens that cause sporadic outbreaks, such as the tick-borne louping ill virus, found almost exclusively in the British Isles, and a range of piroplasmid infections that are poorly characterized. These provide an ongoing source of infection whose emergence can be unpredictable. In addition, the risk remains for future introductions of both exotic vectors and the pathogens they harbor, and can transmit. Current factors that are driving the increases of both disease transmission and the risk of emergence include marked changes to the climate in the British Isles that have increased summer and winter temperatures, and extended the period over which arthropods are active. There have also been dramatic increases in the distribution of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile and Usutu viruses in mainland Europe that are making the introduction of these pathogens through bird migration increasingly feasible. In addition, the establishment of midge-borne bluetongue virus in the near continent has increased the risk of wind-borne introduction of infected midges and the inadvertent importation of infected cattle. Arguably the greatest risk is associated with the continual increase in the movement of people, pets and trade into the UK. This, in particular, is driving the introduction of invasive arthropod species that either bring disease-causing pathogens, or are known competent vectors, that increase the risk of disease transmission if introduced. The following review documents the current pathogen threats to animals transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and midges. This includes both indigenous and exotic pathogens to the UK. In the case of exotic pathogens, the pathway and risk of introduction are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arran J. Folly
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge), Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Dorey-Robinson
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge), Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | | | - L. Paul Phipps
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge), Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge), Addlestone, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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91
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Camp JV, Nowotny N. The knowns and unknowns of West Nile virus in Europe: what did we learn from the 2018 outbreak? Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 18:145-154. [PMID: 31914833 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1713751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne human and animal pathogen with nearly worldwide distribution. In Europe, the virus is endemic with seasonal regional outbreaks that have increased in frequency over the last 10 years. A massive outbreak occurred across southern and central Europe in 2018 with the number of confirmed human cases increasing up to 7.2-fold from the previous year, and expanding to include previously virus-free regions.Areas covered: This review focuses on potential causes that may explain the 2018 European WNV outbreak. We discuss the role genetic, ecological, and environmental aspects may have played in the increased activity during the 2018 transmission season, summarizing the latest epidemiological and virological publications.Expert opinion: Optimal environmental conditions, specifically increased temperature, were most likely responsible for the observed outbreak. Other factors cannot be ruled out due to limited available information, including factors that may influence host/vector abundance and contact. Europe will likely experience even larger-scale outbreaks in the coming years. Increased surveillance efforts should be implemented with a focus on early-warning detection methods, and large-scale host and vector surveys should continue to fill gaps in knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy V Camp
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Norbert Nowotny
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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92
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Khan ZA, Yumnamcha T, Mondal G, Devi SD, Rajiv C, Labala RK, Sanjita Devi H, Chattoraj A. Artificial Light at Night (ALAN): A Potential Anthropogenic Component for the COVID-19 and HCoVs Outbreak. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:622. [PMID: 33013700 PMCID: PMC7511708 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is zoonotic. The circadian day-night is the rhythmic clue to organisms for their synchronized body functions. The "development for mankind" escalated the use of artificial light at night (ALAN). In this article, we tried to focus on the possible influence of this anthropogenic factor in human coronavirus (HCoV) outbreak. The relationship between the occurrences of coronavirus and the ascending curve of the night-light has also been delivered. The ALAN influences the physiology and behavior of bat, a known nocturnal natural reservoir of many Coronaviridae. The "threatened" and "endangered" status of the majority of bat species is mainly because of the destruction of their proper habit and habitat predominantly through artificial illumination. The stress exerted by ALAN leads to the impaired body functions, especially endocrine, immune, genomic integration, and overall rhythm features of different physiological variables and behaviors in nocturnal animals. Night-light disturbs "virus-host" synchronization and may lead to mutation in the genomic part of the virus and excessive virus shedding. We also proposed some future strategies to mitigate the repercussions of ALAN and for the protection of the living system in the earth as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Ahmad Khan
- Biological Rhythm Laboratory, Animal Resources Programme, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Imphal, India
| | - Thangal Yumnamcha
- Biological Rhythm Laboratory, Animal Resources Programme, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Imphal, India
| | - Gopinath Mondal
- Biological Rhythm Laboratory, Animal Resources Programme, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Imphal, India
| | - Sijagurumayum Dharmajyoti Devi
- Biological Rhythm Laboratory, Animal Resources Programme, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Imphal, India
| | - Chongtham Rajiv
- Biological Rhythm Laboratory, Animal Resources Programme, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Imphal, India
| | - Rajendra Kumar Labala
- Distributed Information Sub-centre, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Imphal, India
- Biological Rhythm Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol, India
| | - Haobijam Sanjita Devi
- Biological Rhythm Laboratory, Animal Resources Programme, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Imphal, India
| | - Asamanja Chattoraj
- Biological Rhythm Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol, India
- *Correspondence: Asamanja Chattoraj ;
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93
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Bhowmick S, Gethmann J, Conraths FJ, Sokolov IM, Lentz HHK. Locally temperature - driven mathematical model of West Nile virus spread in Germany. J Theor Biol 2019; 488:110117. [PMID: 31866397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.110117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes. WNV can also infect horses and humans, where it may cause serious illness and can be fatal. Birds are the natural reservoir, and humans, equines and probably other mammals are dead-end hosts. In 2018, WNV occurred for the first time in Germany, affecting birds and horses. Seroconversion of an exposed veterinarian has also been reported. It is therefore of importance to evaluate the circumstances, under which WNV may establish in Germany as a whole or in particular favourable regions. In our current work, we formulate a dynamic model to describe the spreading process of West Nile virus in the presence of migratory birds. To investigate the possible role of migratory birds in the dissemination of WNV in Germany, we include the recurring presence of migratory birds through a mechanistic ordinary differential equations (ODE) model system. We also perform a sensitivity analysis of the infection curves. Seasonal impacts are also taken into consideration. As result, we present an analytical expression for the basic reproduction number R0. We find that after introducing WNV into Germany, R0 will be above the critical value in many regions of the country. Furthermore, we observe that in the south of Germany, the disease reoccurs in the following season after the introduction. We include a potential distribution map associated with WNV cases in Germany to illustrate our findings in a spatial scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Bhowmick
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, Greifswald 17493, Germany; Institute of Physics, Humboldt University of Berlin, Newtonstraße 15, Berlin 12489, Germany
| | - Jörn Gethmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, Greifswald 17493, Germany
| | - Franz J Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, Greifswald 17493, Germany
| | - Igor M Sokolov
- Institute of Physics, Humboldt University of Berlin, Newtonstraße 15, Berlin 12489, Germany
| | - Hartmut H K Lentz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, Greifswald 17493, Germany.
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94
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Tomazatos A, Jansen S, Pfister S, Török E, Maranda I, Horváth C, Keresztes L, Spînu M, Tannich E, Jöst H, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Cadar D, Lühken R. Ecology of West Nile Virus in the Danube Delta, Romania: Phylogeography, Xenosurveillance and Mosquito Host-Feeding Patterns. Viruses 2019; 11:v11121159. [PMID: 31847345 PMCID: PMC6950446 DOI: 10.3390/v11121159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The ecology of West Nile virus (WNV) in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania) was investigated by combining studies on the virus genetics, phylogeography, xenosurveillance and host-feeding patterns of mosquitoes. Between 2014 and 2016, 655,667 unfed and 3842 engorged mosquito females were collected from four sampling sites. Blood-fed mosquitoes were negative for WNV-RNA, but two pools of unfed Culex pipiens s.l./torrentium collected in 2014 were tested positive. Our results suggest that Romania experienced at least two separate WNV lineage 2 introductions: from Africa into Danube Delta and from Greece into south-eastern Romania in the 1990s and early 2000s, respectively. The genetic diversity of WNV in Romania is primarily shaped by in situ evolution. WNV-specific antibodies were detected for 19 blood-meals from dogs and horses, but not from birds or humans. The hosts of mosquitoes were dominated by non-human mammals (19 species), followed by human and birds (23 species). Thereby, the catholic host-feeding pattern of Culex pipiens s.l./torrentium with a relatively high proportion of birds indicates the species’ importance as a potential bridge vector. The low virus prevalence in combination with WNV-specific antibodies indicate continuous, but low activity of WNV in the Danube Delta during the study period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Tomazatos
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (A.T.); (S.J.); (I.M.); (E.T.); (H.J.)
| | - Stephanie Jansen
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (A.T.); (S.J.); (I.M.); (E.T.); (H.J.)
| | | | - Edina Török
- “Lendület” Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Botany, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, 2163 Vácrátót, Hungary;
| | - Iulia Maranda
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (A.T.); (S.J.); (I.M.); (E.T.); (H.J.)
| | - Cintia Horváth
- Department of Clinical Sciences-Infectious Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (M.S.)
| | - Lujza Keresztes
- Center of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400372 Cluj Napoca, Romania;
| | - Marina Spînu
- Department of Clinical Sciences-Infectious Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (M.S.)
| | - Egbert Tannich
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (A.T.); (S.J.); (I.M.); (E.T.); (H.J.)
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Riems, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Jöst
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (A.T.); (S.J.); (I.M.); (E.T.); (H.J.)
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (A.T.); (S.J.); (I.M.); (E.T.); (H.J.)
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, 20148 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Cadar
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (A.T.); (S.J.); (I.M.); (E.T.); (H.J.)
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (A.T.); (S.J.); (I.M.); (E.T.); (H.J.)
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, 20148 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence:
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95
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Abstract
This report of the European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control presents the results of zoonoses monitoring activities carried out in 2018 in 36 European countries (28 Member States (MS) and 8 non‐MS). The first and second most commonly reported zoonoses in humans were campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, respectively. The European Union (EU) trend for confirmed human cases of these two diseases was stable during 2014–2018. The proportion of human salmonellosis cases due to Salmonella Enteritidis was at the same level in 2018 as in 2017. Of the 27 reporting MS, 16 met all Salmonella reduction targets for poultry, whereas 11 MS failed meeting at least one. The EU flock prevalence of target Salmonella serovars in breeding hens, laying hens, broilers and fattening turkeys decreased during recent years but stalled in breeding turkeys. Salmonella results from Competent Authorities for pig carcasses and for poultry tested through National Control Programmes were more frequently positive compared with food business operators. Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections in humans were the third most commonly reported zoonosis in the EU and increased from 2014 to 2018. Yersiniosis was the fourth most frequently reported zoonosis in humans in 2018 with a stable trend in 2014–2018. The number of reported confirmed listeriosis cases further increased in 2018, despite Listeria rarely exceeding the EU food safety limit tested in ready‐to‐eat food. In total, 5,146 food‐ and waterborne outbreaks were reported. Salmonella was the most commonly detected agent with S. Enteritidis causing one in five outbreaks. Salmonella in eggs and egg products was the highest risk agent/food pair. A large increase of human West Nile virus infections was reported in 2018. The report further updates on bovine tuberculosis, Brucella, Trichinella, Echinococcus, Toxoplasma, rabies, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) and tularaemia.
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96
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Hesson JC, Lundin E, Lundkvist Å, Lundström JO. Surveillance of mosquito vectors in Southern Sweden for Flaviviruses and Sindbis virus. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2019; 9:1698903. [PMID: 31853338 PMCID: PMC6913635 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2019.1698903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There are three human pathogenic bird-viruses transmitted by Culex mosquitoes in Europe: the alphavirus Sindbis and the flaviviruses West Nile virus and Usutu virus. Cases of Sindbis fever occur in the north while the flaviviruses are reported from southern Europe. In this study, 7933 Culex pipiens/torrentium mosquitoes from southern Sweden were screened by RTqPCR for these viruses. None of the mosquitoes were positive for viral RNA. The importance of mosquito species composition is discussed as a potential explanation to the lack of detection of mosquito-borne viruses in southern Sweden. However, continued surveillance of mosquitoes for Flaviviruses would be valuable as an early warning for public health awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny C Hesson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology/Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma Lundin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology/Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åke Lundkvist
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology/Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan O Lundström
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology/Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Biologisk Myggkontroll, Nedre Dalälven Utvecklings AB, Gysinge, Sweden
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97
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Chaintoutis SC, Papa A, Pervanidou D, Dovas CI. Evolutionary dynamics of lineage 2 West Nile virus in Europe, 2004–2018: Phylogeny, selection pressure and phylogeography. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 141:106617. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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98
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Martinet JP, Ferté H, Failloux AB, Schaffner F, Depaquit J. Mosquitoes of North-Western Europe as Potential Vectors of Arboviruses: A Review. Viruses 2019; 11:E1059. [PMID: 31739553 PMCID: PMC6893686 DOI: 10.3390/v11111059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intensification of trade and travel is linked to the growing number of imported cases of dengue, chikungunya or Zika viruses into continental Europe and to the expansion of invasive mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus. Local outbreaks have already occurred in several European countries. Very little information exists on the vector competence of native mosquitoes for arboviruses. As such, the vectorial status of the nine mosquito species largely established in North-Western Europe (Aedes cinereus and Aedes geminus, Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor, Aedes rusticus, Anopheles claviger s.s., Anopheles plumbeus, Coquillettidia richiardii, Culex pipiens s.l., and Culiseta annulata) remains mostly unknown. OBJECTIVES To review the vector competence of both invasive and native mosquito populations found in North-Western Europe (i.e., France, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland) for dengue, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile and Usutu viruses. METHODS A bibliographical search with research strings addressing mosquito vector competence for considered countries was performed. RESULTS Out of 6357 results, 119 references were related to the vector competence of mosquitoes in Western Europe. Eight species appear to be competent for at least one virus. CONCLUSIONS Aedes albopictus is responsible for the current outbreaks. The spread of Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus increases the risk of the autochthonous transmission of these viruses. Although native species could contribute to their transmission, more studies are still needed to assess that risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Martinet
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, ANSES, SFR Cap Santé, EA7510 ESCAPE–USC VECPAR, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims CEDEX, France; (H.F.); (J.D.)
- Arbovirus et Insectes Vecteurs, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Hubert Ferté
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, ANSES, SFR Cap Santé, EA7510 ESCAPE–USC VECPAR, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims CEDEX, France; (H.F.); (J.D.)
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Hôpital Maison-Blanche, CHU de Reims, 45 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Arbovirus et Insectes Vecteurs, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Francis Schaffner
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland;
- Francis Schaffner Consultancy, Lörracherstrasse 50, 4125 Riehen (Basel-Land), Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Depaquit
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, ANSES, SFR Cap Santé, EA7510 ESCAPE–USC VECPAR, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims CEDEX, France; (H.F.); (J.D.)
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Hôpital Maison-Blanche, CHU de Reims, 45 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51100 Reims, France
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99
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Binder F, Lenk M, Weber S, Stoek F, Dill V, Reiche S, Riebe R, Wernike K, Hoffmann D, Ziegler U, Adler H, Essbauer S, Ulrich RG. Common vole (Microtus arvalis) and bank vole (Myodes glareolus) derived permanent cell lines differ in their susceptibility and replication kinetics of animal and zoonotic viruses. J Virol Methods 2019; 274:113729. [PMID: 31513859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2019.113729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenesis and reservoir host adaptation of animal and zoonotic viruses are poorly understood due to missing adequate cell culture and animal models. The bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and common vole (Microtus arvalis) serve as hosts for a variety of zoonotic pathogens. For a better understanding of virus association to a putative animal host, we generated two novel cell lines from bank voles of different evolutionary lineages and two common vole cell lines and assayed their susceptibility, replication and cytopathogenic effect (CPE) formation for rodent-borne, suspected to be rodent-associated or viruses with no obvious rodent association. Already established bank vole cell line BVK168, used as control, was susceptible to almost all viruses tested and efficiently produced infectious virus for almost all of them. The Puumala orthohantavirus strain Vranica/Hällnäs showed efficient replication in a new bank vole kidney cell line, but not in the other four bank and common vole cell lines. Tula orthohantavirus replicated in the kidney cell line of common voles, but was hampered in its replication in the other cell lines. Several zoonotic viruses, such as Cowpox virus, Vaccinia virus, Rift Valley fever virus, and Encephalomyocarditis virus 1 replicated in all cell lines with CPE formation. West Nile virus, Usutu virus, Sindbis virus and Tick-borne encephalitis virus replicated only in a part of the cell lines, perhaps indicating cell line specific factors involved in replication. Rodent specific viruses differed in their replication potential: Murine gammaherpesvirus-68 replicated in the four tested vole cell lines, whereas murine norovirus failed to infect almost all cell lines. Schmallenberg virus and Foot-and-mouth disease virus replicated in some of the cell lines, although these viruses have never been associated to rodents. In conclusion, these newly developed cell lines may represent useful tools to study virus-cell interactions and to identify and characterize host cell factors involved in replication of rodent associated viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Binder
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Matthias Lenk
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Bio-Bank, Collection of Cell Lines in Veterinary Virology (CCLV), Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Saskia Weber
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Franziska Stoek
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Veronika Dill
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sven Reiche
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Bio-Bank, Collection of Cell Lines in Veterinary Virology (CCLV), Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Roland Riebe
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Bio-Bank, Collection of Cell Lines in Veterinary Virology (CCLV), Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Heiko Adler
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Research Unit Lung Repair and Regeneration, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Marchioninistrasse 25, 81377 Munich, Germany; University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra Essbauer
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Department Virology and Rickettsiology, Neuherbergstr. 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Germany.
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100
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Benzarti E, Sarlet M, Franssen M, Cadar D, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Rivas JF, Linden A, Desmecht D, Garigliany M. Usutu Virus Epizootic in Belgium in 2017 and 2018: Evidence of Virus Endemization and Ongoing Introduction Events. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 20:43-50. [PMID: 31479400 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife surveillance allowed the monitoring of the zoonotic mosquito-borne Usutu virus (USUV) in birds and bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in southern Belgium in 2017 and 2018. USUV-RNA was detected in 69 birds (of 253) from 15 species, among which 7 species had not previously been reported to be susceptible to the infection. Similarly, 2 bats (of 10) were detected positive by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). USUV-associated lesions were mainly found in Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula), in which USUV antigens were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in the brain, heart, liver, kidney, intestine, and lung. Partial nonstructural protein 5 gene-based phylogenetic analysis showed several identical or closely related strains from 2016, 2017, and 2018 clustering together within Europe 3 or Africa 3 lineages. Further, one USUV strain detected in a common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) manifested a close genetic relationship with the European 1 strains circulating in Hungary and Austria. Our data provide evidence of USUV endemization in southern Belgium in local birds and bats, extension of the host range of the virus and ongoing virus introduction from abroad, likely by migratory birds. Our results highlight the need for vigilance in the forthcoming years toward new virus-associated outbreaks in birds and possible human infections in Belgium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emna Benzarti
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Michaël Sarlet
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Franssen
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Daniel Cadar
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Hamburg, Germany.,Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jose Felipe Rivas
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Annick Linden
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Daniel Desmecht
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Mutien Garigliany
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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