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Williams RAJ, Criollo Valencia HA, López Márquez I, González González F, Llorente F, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Busquets N, Mateo Barrientos M, Ortiz-Díez G, Ayllón Santiago T. West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in Wild Birds and Equines in Madrid Province, Spain. Vet Sci 2024; 11:259. [PMID: 38922006 PMCID: PMC11209238 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a re-emerging flavivirus, primarily circulating among avian hosts and mosquito vectors, causing periodic outbreaks in humans and horses, often leading to neuroinvasive disease and mortality. Spain has reported several outbreaks, most notably in 2020 with seventy-seven human cases and eight fatalities. WNV has been serologically detected in horses in the Community of Madrid, but to our knowledge, it has never been reported from wild birds in this region. To estimate the seroprevalence of WNV in wild birds and horses in the Community of Madrid, 159 wild birds at a wildlife rescue center and 25 privately owned equines were sampled. Serum from thirteen birds (8.2%) and one equine (4.0%) tested positive with a WNV competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) designed for WNV antibody detection but sensitive to cross-reacting antibodies to other flaviviruses. Virus-neutralization test (VNT) confirmed WNV antibodies in four bird samples (2.5%), and antibodies to undetermined flavivirus in four additional samples. One equine sample (4.0%) tested positive for WNV by VNT, although this horse previously resided in a WN-endemic area. ELISA-positive birds included both migratory and resident species, juveniles and adults. Two seropositive juvenile birds suggest local flavivirus transmission within the Community of Madrid, while WNV seropositive adult birds may have been infected outside Madrid. The potential circulation of flaviviruses, including WNV, in birds in the Madrid Community raises concerns, although further surveillance of mosquitoes, wild birds, and horses in Madrid is necessary to establish the extent of transmission and the principal species involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. J. Williams
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Nováis, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Irene López Márquez
- Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and their Habitat—GREFA, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (I.L.M.); (F.G.G.)
| | - Fernando González González
- Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and their Habitat—GREFA, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (I.L.M.); (F.G.G.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Llorente
- Animal Health Research Center (CISA-INIA), CSIC, 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (F.L.)
| | | | - Núria Busquets
- IRTA, Animal Health Program, Animal Health Research Center (CReSA), Campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Mixed Research Unit IRTA-UAB in Animal Health, Animal Health Research Center (CReSA), Campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Marta Mateo Barrientos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Gustavo Ortiz-Díez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Tania Ayllón Santiago
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Nováis, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University, 28691 Madrid, Spain;
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Defaye B, Moutailler S, Vollot B, Galon C, Gonzalez G, Moraes RA, Leoncini AS, Rataud A, Le Guillou G, Pasqualini V, Quilichini Y. Detection of Pathogens and Ticks on Sedentary and Migratory Birds in Two Corsican Wetlands (France, Mediterranean Area). Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040869. [PMID: 37110292 PMCID: PMC10141976 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds are one of the most species-diverse vertebrate groups and are susceptible to numerous hematophagous ectoparasites. Migratory birds likely contribute to the circulation of these ectoparasites and their associated pathogens. One of the many migration paths crosses the Mediterranean islands including Corsica and its wetlands, which are migration stopovers. In our study, we collected blood samples and hematophagous ectoparasites in migratory and sedentary bird populations in two coastal lagoons: Biguglia and Gradugine. A total of 1377 birds were captured from which 762 blood samples, 37 louse flies, and 44 ticks were collected. All the louse flies were identified as Ornithomya biloba and all the ticks were from the Ixodes genus: Ixodes sp. (8.5%), I. accuminatus/ventalloi (2.9%), I. arboricola/lividus (14.3%), I. frontalis (5.7%) and I. ricinus (68.6%). Five pathogens were detected: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Erhlichia chaffeensis, and Rickettsia helvetica in ticks, and Trypanosoma sp. in louse flies. Ehrlichia chaffeensis and the West Nile virus were both detected in bird blood samples in Corsica. This is the first report of these tick, louse fly and pathogen species isolated on the bird population in Corsica. Our finding highlights the importance of bird populations in the presence of arthropod-borne pathogens in Corsican wetlands.
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Trifonova I, Christova I, Ivanova-Aleksandrova N, Gladnishka T, Ivanova V, Panayotova E, Taseva E, Dimitrov D, Marinov M, Kamenov G, Zehtindjiev P. Survey of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and West Nile fever virus in wild birds in Bulgaria. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-022-01239-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Di Pol G, Crotta M, Taylor RA. Modelling the temperature suitability for the risk of West Nile Virus establishment in European Culex pipiens populations. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e1787-e1799. [PMID: 35304820 PMCID: PMC9790397 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Increases in temperature and extreme weather events due to global warming can create an environment that is beneficial to mosquito populations, changing and possibly increasing the suitable geographical range for many vector-borne diseases. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a flavivirus, maintained in a mosquito-avian host cycle that is usually asymptomatic but can cause primarily flu-like symptoms in human and equid accidental hosts. In rare circumstances, serious disease and death are possible outcomes for both humans and horses. The main European vector of WNV is the Culex pipiens mosquito. This study examines the effect of environmental temperature on WNV establishment in Europe via Culex pipiens populations through use of a basic reproduction number ( R 0 ${R_0}$ ) model. A metric of thermal suitability derived from R 0 ${R_0}$ was developed by collating thermal responses of different Culex pipiens traits and combining them through use of a next-generation matrix. WNV establishment was determined to be possible between 14°C and 34.3°C, with the optimal temperature at 23.7°C. The suitability measure was plotted against monthly average temperatures in 2020 and the number of months with high suitability mapped across Europe. The average number of suitable months for each year from 2013 to 2019 was also calculated and validated with reported equine West Nile fever cases from 2013 to 2019. The widespread thermal suitability for WNV establishment highlights the importance of European surveillance for this disease and the need for increased research into mosquito and bird distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Di Pol
- Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health GroupDepartment of Pathobiology and Population SciencesRoyal Veterinary CollegeLondonUK
| | - Matteo Crotta
- Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health GroupDepartment of Pathobiology and Population SciencesRoyal Veterinary CollegeLondonUK
| | - Rachel A. Taylor
- Department of Epidemiological SciencesAnimal and Plant Health AgencySurreyUK
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Pallari CT, Christodoulou V, Koliou M, Kirschel ANG. First detection of WNV RNA presence in field-collected mosquitoes in Cyprus. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106470. [PMID: 35430264 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) infections have increased over recent years to the extent that WNV has become one of the most widespread arboviruses in the world, with potential consequences for both human and animal health. While much is known about WNV and the vectors that transmit it from their primary hosts across continental Europe, little is known about the epidemiology of the disease on the island of Cyprus. In this study, the aim was to investigate the prevalence of WNV infection in potential mosquito vectors for the first time in the Republic of Cyprus, using WNV surveillance of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes were collected in 2019, during which an outbreak in humans had occurred, and sampled mosquitoes were then examined for WNV infection by testing them for the presence of WNV RNA. Of 126 mosquito pools tested, one pool, containing Culex pipiens mosquitoes sampled from the Nicosia district, was found to be positive for the presence of WNV RNA. The positive pool found in this study represents the first demonstration of WNV in mosquitoes in Cyprus and confirms that human cases in Cyprus are likely the result of transmission via local Culex mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chryso Th Pallari
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, PO Box 20537, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus
| | | | - Maria Koliou
- Medical School, University of Cyprus, Siakoleio Center of Clinical Medicine, 2029 Aglantzia PO Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Alexander N G Kirschel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, PO Box 20537, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus.
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