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Lu X, Ji L, Wang H, Zhang Q, Wang X, Liu Y, Shen Q, Yang S, Ma X, Zhang W, Shan T. Highly diverse RNA viruses and phage sequences concealed within birds. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0080224. [PMID: 38860816 PMCID: PMC11218532 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00802-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The diversity of birds in most parts of the world is very high, and thus, they may carry different types of highly differentiated and unknown viruses. Thanks to advanced sequencing technologies, studies on the diversity of bird-associated viruses have increased over the past few years. In this study, a large-scale viral metagenomics survey was performed on cloacal swabs of 2,990 birds from nine provinces of the Chinese mainland. To detect undescribed RNA viruses in birds, more than 1,800 sequences sharing relatively low (<60%) amino acid sequence identity with the best match in the GenBank database were screened. Potentially novel viruses related to vertebrates have been identified, and several potential recombination signals were found. Additionally, hundreds of RNA viral sequences related to plants, fungi, and insects were detected, including previously unknown viruses. Furthermore, we investigated the novelty, functionality, and classification of the phages examined in this study. These viruses occupied topological positions on the evolutionary trees to a certain extent and might form novel putative families, genera, or species, thus providing information to fill the phylogenetic gaps of related viruses. These findings provided new insights into bird-associated viruses, but the interactions among these viruses remain unknown and require further investigation.IMPORTANCEStudying the diversity of RNA viruses in birds and mammals is crucial due to their potential impact on human health and the global ecosystem. Many RNA viruses, such as influenza and coronaviruses, have been shown to cross the species barrier and cause zoonotic diseases. In this metagenomics study involving 2,990 birds from at least 82 species, we identified over 1,800 RNA sequences with distant relationships to known viruses, some of which are rare in birds. The study highlights the scope and diversity of RNA viruses in birds, providing data to predict disease risks and monitor potential viral threats to wildlife, livestock, and human health. This information can aid in the development of strategies for disease prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Likai Ji
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haoning Wang
- School of Geography and Tourism, Harbin University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Qinghai Institute of Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Xiaochun Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuwei Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Quan Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shixing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- Qinghai Institute of Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tongling Shan
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Krol L, Remmerswaal L, Groen M, van der Beek JG, Sikkema RS, Dellar M, van Bodegom PM, Geerling GW, Schrama M. Landscape level associations between birds, mosquitoes and microclimates: possible consequences for disease transmission? Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:156. [PMID: 38532512 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06239-z] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise. While climatic factors have been linked to disease occurrences, they do not explain the non-random spatial distribution in disease outbreaks. Landscape-related factors, such as vegetation structure, likely play a crucial but hitherto unquantified role. METHODS We explored how three critically important factors that are associated with mosquito-borne disease outbreaks: microclimate, mosquito abundance and bird communities, vary at the landscape scale. We compared the co-occurrence of these three factors in two contrasting habitat types (forest versus grassland) across five rural locations in the central part of the Netherlands between June and September 2021. RESULTS Our results show that forest patches provide a more sheltered microclimate, and a higher overall abundance of birds. When accounting for differences in landscape characteristics, we also observed that the number of mosquitoes was higher in isolated forest patches. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that, at the landscape scale, variation in tree cover coincides with suitable microclimate and high Culex pipiens and bird abundance. Overall, these factors can help understand the non-random spatial distribution of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louie Krol
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Laure Remmerswaal
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marvin Groen
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jordy G van der Beek
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Reina S Sikkema
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martha Dellar
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter M van Bodegom
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gertjan W Geerling
- Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Schrama
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Correa-Morales F, González-Acosta C, Ibarra-Ojeda D, Moreno-García M. West Nile virus in Mexico: Why vectors matter for explaining the current absence of epidemics. Acta Trop 2024; 249:107065. [PMID: 37926384 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Since 2002, West Nile Virus (WNV) has been reported in 18 states in Mexico, either by PCR or serological testing. However, it is believed that the virus is present in more states. Only four states (out of 32) have reported confirmed human cases, and one state has serological evidence. In the country, WNV is present in mainly horses and birds, but its presence extends to crocodiles, felines, canines, swines, donkeys, caprines, antilopes, cattle, bats, and camelids. Positive mosquito species include Aedes and Culex spp. Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain the absence of WNV epidemics in Latin America. Since some regions of Mexico and the United States share ecological and climatic conditions, these hypotheses may not be sufficient to account for the absence of WNV outbreaks or epidemics. This paper discusses the proposed ideas and attempts to contextualize them for Mexico, particularly for the U.S.-Mexico border, where WNV infections have been reported in humans, horses, and mosquitoes. We propose that integration of urban ecology and entomology knowledge is needed to better understand the absence of WN cases in Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabián Correa-Morales
- Centro Nacional de Programas Preventivos y Control de Enfermedades. Benjamín Franklin 132, Escandón, Ciudad de México C.P. 11800, Mexico
| | - Cassandra González-Acosta
- Centro Nacional de Programas Preventivos y Control de Enfermedades. Benjamín Franklin 132, Escandón, Ciudad de México C.P. 11800, Mexico
| | - David Ibarra-Ojeda
- Instituto de Servicios de Salud Pública del Estado de Baja California. Palacio Federal, 3er piso. Av. De los Pioneros #1005. Centro Cívico, Mexicali, Baja California 21000, Mexico
| | - Miguel Moreno-García
- Centro Nacional de Programas Preventivos y Control de Enfermedades. Benjamín Franklin 132, Escandón, Ciudad de México C.P. 11800, Mexico.
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Lu L, Zhang F, Oude Munnink BB, Munger E, Sikkema RS, Pappa S, Tsioka K, Sinigaglia A, Dal Molin E, Shih BB, Günther A, Pohlmann A, Ziegler U, Beer M, Taylor RA, Bartumeus F, Woolhouse M, Aarestrup FM, Barzon L, Papa A, Lycett S, Koopmans MPG. West Nile virus spread in Europe: Phylogeographic pattern analysis and key drivers. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011880. [PMID: 38271294 PMCID: PMC10810478 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks in birds, humans, and livestock have occurred in multiple areas in Europe and have had a significant impact on animal and human health. The patterns of emergence and spread of WNV in Europe are very different from those in the US and understanding these are important for guiding preparedness activities. METHODS We mapped the evolution and spread history of WNV in Europe by incorporating viral genome sequences and epidemiological data into phylodynamic models. Spatially explicit phylogeographic models were developed to explore the possible contribution of different drivers to viral dispersal direction and velocity. A "skygrid-GLM" approach was used to identify how changes in environments would predict viral genetic diversity variations over time. FINDINGS Among the six lineages found in Europe, WNV-2a (a sub-lineage of WNV-2) has been predominant (accounting for 73% of all sequences obtained in Europe that have been shared in the public domain) and has spread to at least 14 countries. In the past two decades, WNV-2a has evolved into two major co-circulating clusters, both originating from Central Europe, but with distinct dynamic history and transmission patterns. WNV-2a spreads at a high dispersal velocity (88km/yr-215 km/yr) which is correlated to bird movements. Notably, amongst multiple drivers that could affect the spread of WNV, factors related to land use were found to strongly influence the spread of WNV. Specifically, the intensity of agricultural activities (defined by factors related to crops and livestock production, such as coverage of cropland, pasture, cultivated and managed vegetation, livestock density) were positively associated with both spread direction and velocity. In addition, WNV spread direction was associated with high coverage of wetlands and migratory bird flyways. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that-in addition to ecological conditions favouring bird- and mosquito- presence-agricultural land use may be a significant driver of WNV emergence and spread. Our study also identified significant gaps in data and the need to strengthen virological surveillance in countries of Central Europe from where WNV outbreaks are likely seeded. Enhanced monitoring for early detection of further dispersal could be targeted to areas with high agricultural activities and habitats of migratory birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lu
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Feifei Zhang
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bas B. Oude Munnink
- Erasmus MC, Viroscience and Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Emmanuelle Munger
- Erasmus MC, Viroscience and Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Reina S. Sikkema
- Erasmus MC, Viroscience and Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Styliani Pappa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Katerina Tsioka
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | - Barbara B. Shih
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Günther
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Pohlmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Riems, Germany
| | - Rachel A. Taylor
- Department of Epidemiological Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency, United Kingdom
| | - Frederic Bartumeus
- Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Girona, Spain
- Centre for Research on Ecology and Forestry Applications (CREAF), Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mark Woolhouse
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Frank M. Aarestrup
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Luisa Barzon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Samantha Lycett
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Marion P. G. Koopmans
- Erasmus MC, Viroscience and Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Musto C, Tamba M, Calzolari M, Rossi A, Grisendi A, Marzani K, Bonilauri P, Delogu M. Detection of West Nile and Usutu Virus RNA in Autumn Season in Wild Avian Hosts in Northern Italy. Viruses 2023; 15:1771. [PMID: 37632113 PMCID: PMC10458002 DOI: 10.3390/v15081771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile (WNV) and Usutu (USUV) viruses are two mosquito-borne viruses belonging to the family Flaviviridae and genus Flavivirus. The natural transmission cycle of WNV and USUV involves mosquitoes and birds, while mammals are thought to be accidental hosts. The goal of this study was to report-in the context of "off-season monitoring" and passive surveillance-the detection of WNV and USUV RNA in wild birds. To this end, we analyzed biological samples of wild birds in Northern Italy, from October to May, hence outside of the regional monitoring period (June-September). The virological investigations for the detection of USUV and WNV RNA were performed using real-time PCR on frozen samples of the brain, myocardium, kidney, and spleen. In a total sample of 164 wild birds belonging to 27 different species, sequences of both viruses were detected: four birds (2.44%) were positive for WNV and five (3.05%) for USUV. Off-season infections of WNV and especially USUV are still widely discussed and only a few studies have been published to date. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report on the detection of USUV RNA until December 22nd. Although further studies are required, our results confirm the viral circulation out-of-season of Flavivirus in wild birds, suggesting reconsidering the epidemiological monitoring period based on each individual climate zone and taking into consideration global warming which will play an important role in the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Musto
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Marco Tamba
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (A.G.); (K.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Mattia Calzolari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (A.G.); (K.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Arianna Rossi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (A.G.); (K.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Annalisa Grisendi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (A.G.); (K.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Katia Marzani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (A.G.); (K.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Paolo Bonilauri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.); (A.R.); (A.G.); (K.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Mauro Delogu
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Bologna, Italy;
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West Nile Virus Occurrence and Ecological Niche Modeling in Wild Bird Species and Mosquito Vectors: An Active Surveillance Program in the Peloponnese Region of Greece. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071328. [PMID: 35889046 PMCID: PMC9320058 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is maintained in nature in a bird-mosquito cycle and human infections follow a seasonal pattern, favored by climatic conditions. Peloponnese Region, located in Southern Greece, initiated an active WNV surveillance program to protect public health during 2019–2020. The project included monitoring of avian hosts and mosquito vectors, while sampling locations were prioritized after consideration of WNV circulation in birds, mosquitos and humans during previous seasons. Biological materials were collected from 493 wild birds of 25 species and 678 mosquito pools, which were molecularly screened for WNV presence. In this case, 14 environmental variables were associated with WNV detection in wild birds and mosquitos by using two separate MaxEnt models. Viral RNA was not detected in the target species during 2019, although in 2020, it was reported on 46 wild birds of ten species and 22 mosquito pools (Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus). Altitude and land uses were significant predictors for both models and in fact, suitable conditions for virus occurrence were identified in low altitude zones. Bird- and mosquito-based surveillance systems yielded similar results and allowed for targeted vector control applications in cases of increased virus activity. Human cases were not reported on Peloponnese in 2020.
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Shan T, Yang S, Wang H, Wang H, Zhang J, Gong G, Xiao Y, Yang J, Wang X, Lu J, Zhao M, Yang Z, Lu X, Dai Z, He Y, Chen X, Zhou R, Yao Y, Kong N, Zeng J, Ullah K, Wang X, Shen Q, Deng X, Zhang J, Delwart E, Tong G, Zhang W. Virome in the cloaca of wild and breeding birds revealed a diversity of significant viruses. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:60. [PMID: 35413940 PMCID: PMC9001828 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01246-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild birds may harbor and transmit viruses that are potentially pathogenic to humans, domestic animals, and other wildlife. RESULTS Using the viral metagenomic approach, we investigated the virome of cloacal swab specimens collected from 3182 birds (the majority of them wild species) consisting of > 87 different species in 10 different orders within the Aves classes. The virus diversity in wild birds was higher than that in breeding birds. We acquired 707 viral genomes from 18 defined families and 4 unclassified virus groups, with 265 virus genomes sharing < 60% protein sequence identities with their best matches in GenBank comprising new virus families, genera, or species. RNA viruses containing the conserved RdRp domain with no phylogenetic affinity to currently defined virus families existed in different bird species. Genomes of the astrovirus, picornavirus, coronavirus, calicivirus, parvovirus, circovirus, retrovirus, and adenovirus families which include known avian pathogens were fully characterized. Putative cross-species transmissions were observed with viruses in wild birds showing > 95% amino acid sequence identity to previously reported viruses in domestic poultry. Genomic recombination was observed for some genomes showing discordant phylogenies based on structural and non-structural regions. Mapping the next-generation sequencing (NGS) data respectively against the 707 genomes revealed that these viruses showed distribution pattern differences among birds with different habitats (breeding or wild), orders, and sampling sites but no significant differences between birds with different behavioral features (migratory and resident). CONCLUSIONS The existence of a highly diverse virome highlights the challenges in elucidating the evolution, etiology, and ecology of viruses in wild birds. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongling Shan
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shixing Yang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haoning Wang
- School of Geography and Tourism, Harbin University, Harbin, 150886, Heilongjiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Wildlife diseases and Biosecurity Management of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, 150886, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, 223002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ju Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ga Gong
- Animal Science College, Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi, 860000, Tibet, China
| | - Yuqing Xiao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Wildlife and Protected Area College/Center of Conservation Medicine and Ecological Safety Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150006, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Juan Lu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Zhao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zijun Yang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiang Lu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziyuan Dai
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yumin He
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Chen
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuxin Yao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ning Kong
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jian Zeng
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kalim Ullah
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaochun Wang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Quan Shen
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xutao Deng
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong, China
| | - Eric Delwart
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94118, USA
| | - Guangzhi Tong
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, 200241, China.
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonose, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wen Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu, China.
- International Center for Genomics Research, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China.
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García-Carrasco JM, Muñoz AR, Olivero J, Segura M, Real R. Mapping the Risk for West Nile Virus Transmission, Africa. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:777-785. [PMID: 35318911 PMCID: PMC8962882 DOI: 10.3201/eid2804.211103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emergent arthropodborne virus that is transmitted from bird to bird by mosquitoes. Spillover events occur when infected mosquitoes bite mammals. We created a geopositioned database of WNV presence in Africa and considered reports of the virus in all animal components: reservoirs, vectors, and nonhuman dead-end hosts. We built various biogeographic models to determine which drivers explain the distribution of WNV throughout Africa. Wetlands of international importance for birds accounted for the detection of WNV in all animal components, whereas human-related drivers played a key role in the epizootic cases. We combined these models to obtain an integrative and large-scale perspective of the areas at risk for WNV spillover. Understanding which areas pose the highest risk would enable us to address the management of this spreading disease and to comprehend the translocation of WNV outside Africa through avian migration routes.
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West Nile and Usutu Virus Introduction via Migratory Birds: A Retrospective Analysis in Italy. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020416. [PMID: 35216009 PMCID: PMC8880244 DOI: 10.3390/v14020416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The actual contribution of migratory birds in spreading West Nile (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) across Europe and from Africa to old countries is still controversial. In this study, we reported the results of molecular and serological surveys on migrating birds sampled during peaks of spring and autumn migration at 11 Italian sites located along important flyways, from 2012 to 2014. A total of 1335 specimens made of individual or pooled sera, and organs from 275 dead birds were tested for WNV and USUV RNA by real time PCR (RT-PCR). Furthermore, sera were tested by serum neutralization assay for detecting WNV and USUV neutralizing antibodies. Molecular tests detected WNV lineage 2 RNA in a pool made of three Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) sera sampled in autumn, and lineage 1 in kidneys of six trans-Saharan birds sampled in spring. Neutralizing antibodies against WNV and USUV were found in 5.80% (n = 72; 17 bird species) and 0.32% (n = 4; 4 bird species) of the tested sera, respectively. Our results do not exclude the role of migratory birds as potential spreaders of WNV and USUV from Africa and Central Europe to Mediterranean areas and highlight the importance of a more extensive active surveillance of zoonotic viruses.
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Hubálek Z. History of Arbovirus Research in the Czech Republic. Viruses 2021; 13:2334. [PMID: 34835140 PMCID: PMC8622538 DOI: 10.3390/v13112334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review is to follow the history of studies on endemiv arboviruses and the diseases they cause which were detected in the Czech lands (Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia (i.e., the Czech Republic)). The viruses involve tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile and Usutu flaviviruses; the Sindbis alphavirus; Ťahyňa, Batai, Lednice and Sedlec bunyaviruses; the Uukuniemi phlebovirus; and the Tribeč orbivirus. Arboviruses temporarily imported from abroad to the Czech Republic have been omitted. This brief historical review includes a bibliography of all relevant papers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenek Hubálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 60365 Brno, Czech Republic
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11
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Erdogan Bamac O, Cizmecigil UY, Mete A, Yilmaz A, Aydin O, Tali HE, Tali BH, Yilmaz SG, Gurel A, Turan N, Ozsoy S, Vatansever Celik E, Sadeyen JR, Roman-Sosa G, Iqbal M, Richt JA, Yilmaz H. Emergence of West Nile Virus Lineage-2 in Resident Corvids in Istanbul, Turkey. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021; 21:892-899. [PMID: 34748405 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile fever is a vector-borne viral disease affecting animals and humans causing significant health and economic problems globally. This study was aimed at investigating circulating West Nile virus (WNV) strains in free-ranging corvids in Istanbul, Turkey. Brain, liver, and kidney were collected from corvids (n = 34) between June 2019 and April 2020 and analyzed for the presence of WNV-specific RNA by quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, histopathologic and immunohistochemical examinations were also performed. Samples found to be positive by qRT-PCR were partially sequenced. WNV-specific RNA was detected in 8 of 34 corvids analyzed, which included 7 hooded crows (Corvus cornix) and 1 Eurasian magpie (Pica pica). Phylogenetic analysis based on partial WNV sequences from the 8 WNV-positive corvids identified in this study revealed that all sequences clustered within the WNV lineage-2; they were at least 97% homologues to WNV lineage-2 sequences from Slovakia, Italy, Czechia, Hungary, Senegal, Austria, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Germany. WNV sequences showed a divergence (87.94-94.46%) from sequences reported from Romania, Central African Republic, South Africa, Madagascar, Israel, and Cyprus, which clustered into a different clade of WNV lineage-2. Common histopathologic findings of WNV-positive corvids included lymphoplasmacytic hepatitis, myocarditis, and splenitis. The liver and heart were found to be the tissues most consistently positive for WNV-specific antigen by immunohistochemistry, followed by the kidney and brain. This study demonstrates for the first time the existence of WNV virus belonging to the genetic lineage-2 in resident corvids in Istanbul, Turkey. We hypothesize that the WNV strains circulating in Istanbul are possibly the result of a spillover event from Europe. Since WNV is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted by mosquito vectors, the emergence of WNV in Istanbul also poses a risk to humans and other susceptible animals in this densely populated city and needs to be addressed by animal and public health authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Erdogan Bamac
- Department of Pathology, and Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Utku Y Cizmecigil
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Asli Mete
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Davis Branch, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Aysun Yilmaz
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozge Aydin
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hasan E Tali
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Besim H Tali
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Semaha G Yilmaz
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aydin Gurel
- Department of Pathology, and Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nuri Turan
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serhat Ozsoy
- Department of Wild Animals and Ecology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Vatansever Celik
- Department of Wild Animals and Ecology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Jean-Remy Sadeyen
- Avian Influenza Group, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Gleyder Roman-Sosa
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Munir Iqbal
- Avian Influenza Group, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Juergen A Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Huseyin Yilmaz
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
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12
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West Nile virus seroprevalence and associated risk factors among horses in Egypt. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20932. [PMID: 34686730 PMCID: PMC8536702 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00449-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Determination of the seroprevalence and risk factors that are associated with West Nile virus (WNV) in horses is essential for adoption of effective prevention strategies. Our objective in this study, therefore, was to determine the seroprevalence and to identify the risk factors associated with WNV infection in the most densely horse-populated governorates in Egypt. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 on 930 horses, which were distributed over five governorates in the Nile delta of Egypt. The horses, which were randomly selected, were serologically tested through use of an ID screen West Nile competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect anti-WNV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT; gold standard) to confirm the seropositive status of animals and to avoid cross reaction with other flavi-viruses. Four variables (geographical location, breed, sex and age) were considered in the risk analysis. Univariable and stepwise forward multivariable logistic regression methods were used for risk-factor analysis. The odds ratio (OR) was used as an approximate measure of relative risk. A total of 156 (16.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 14.4-19.2; P < 0.001) serum samples were found to be serologically positive for WNV. The highest seroprevalence rate was detected in horses of age ≥ 15 years (68.1%; 95% CI 49.8-72.4), stallions (26.4%; 95% CI 22.7-30.4), and those of mixed breed (21.5%; 95% CI 17.7-27.5). Horses older than 15 years were found to be at increased risk of WNV infection with OR = 4.3 (95% CI 3.0-6.2, P < 0.001) compared with horses aged under 2.5 years. Also, when all the risk factors were considered, stallions were more likely than mares to be WNV seropositive (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.6-3.7, P < 0.001), and of the breeds, mixed-breed (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-2.8, P = 0.005) and Arabian horses (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-2.8, P = 0.005) were more likely to be seropositive. Geographical location seemed to have no impact on the seroprevalence of exposure to WNV among these horses. Due to these findings, we strongly recommend intensive surveillance and implementation of effective control and prevention strategies against WNV, especially in stallion, mixed-breed horses with ages ≥ 15 years.
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Hubálek Z. Pathogenic microorganisms associated with gulls and terns (Laridae). JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.25225/jvb.21009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zdeněk Hubálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; e-mail:
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Assaid N, Arich S, Ezzikouri S, Benjelloun S, Dia M, Faye O, Akarid K, Beck C, Lecollinet S, Failloux AB, Sarih M. Serological evidence of West Nile virus infection in human populations and domestic birds in the Northwest of Morocco. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 76:101646. [PMID: 33845402 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) was recently detected in Culex pipiens mosquitoes in Morocco. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of WNV in humans and in domestic birds in two regions of Morocco by the detection of IgG antibodies. Blood samples were obtained from 91 human patients and 92 domestic birds from September to December 2019. All study samples were tested using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) and WNV neutralization tests (VNT) were performed on positive sera. Of all samples, 4 (4.39 %) humans and 4 (4.34 %) birds were found to be seropositive for flaviviruses by the cELISA test. The VNT revealed that three of the four human samples detected positive by cELISA contained neutralizing antibodies against WNV. Two bird samples were confirmed positive by VNT. These results show a significant seroprevalence of anti-WNV antibodies and therefore suggest the active circulation and exposure of human and bird populations in the northwest of Morocco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najlaa Assaid
- Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Service de Parasitologie et des Maladies Vectorielles, Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco; Molecular Genetics and Immunophysiopathology Research Team, Health and Environment Laboratory, Aïn Chock Faculty of Sciences, University of Hassan II Casablanca (UH2C), Casablanca, Morocco.
| | - Soukaina Arich
- Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Service de Parasitologie et des Maladies Vectorielles, Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco.
| | - Sayeh Ezzikouri
- Virology Unit, Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc 1, Place Louis Pasteur, 20360 Casablanca, Morocco.
| | - Soumaya Benjelloun
- Virology Unit, Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc 1, Place Louis Pasteur, 20360 Casablanca, Morocco.
| | - Moussa Dia
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, 36 Avenue Pasteur, Dakar, Senegal.
| | - Oumar Faye
- Virology Department, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, 36 Avenue Pasteur, Dakar, Senegal.
| | - Khadija Akarid
- Molecular Genetics and Immunophysiopathology Research Team, Health and Environment Laboratory, Aïn Chock Faculty of Sciences, University of Hassan II Casablanca (UH2C), Casablanca, Morocco.
| | - Cécile Beck
- UMR1161 Virologie, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UMR1161 Virologie, INRAE, ANSES, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Department of Virology, Institut Pasteur, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Paris, France.
| | - M'hammed Sarih
- Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Service de Parasitologie et des Maladies Vectorielles, Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco.
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Fall G, Diallo D, Soumaila H, Ndiaye EH, Lagare A, Sadio BD, Ndione MHD, Wiley M, Dia M, Diop M, Ba A, Sidikou F, Ngoy BB, Faye O, Testa J, Loucoubar C, Sall AA, Diallo M, Faye O. First Detection of the West Nile Virus Koutango Lineage in Sandflies in Niger. Pathogens 2021; 10:257. [PMID: 33668365 PMCID: PMC7996184 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV), belonging to the Flaviviridae family, causes a mosquito-borne disease and shows great genetic diversity, with at least eight different lineages. The Koutango lineage of WNV (WN-KOUTV), mostly associated with ticks and rodents in the wild, is exclusively present in Africa and shows evidence of infection in humans and high virulence in mice. In 2016, in a context of Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreak in Niger, mosquitoes, biting midges and sandflies were collected for arbovirus isolation using cell culture, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR assays. Whole genome sequencing and in vivo replication studies using mice were later conducted on positive samples. The WN-KOUTV strain was detected in a sandfly pool. The sequence analyses and replication studies confirmed that this strain belonged to the WN-KOUTV lineage and caused 100% mortality of mice. Further studies should be done to assess what genetic traits of WN-KOUTV influence this very high virulence in mice. In addition, given the risk of WN-KOUTV to infect humans, the possibility of multiple vectors as well as birds as reservoirs of WNV, to spread the virus beyond Africa, and the increasing threats of flavivirus infections in the world, it is important to understand the potential of WN-KOUTV to emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamou Fall
- Pole of Virology, WHO Collaborating Center For Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Virus, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (B.D.S.); (M.H.D.N.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (O.F.); (A.A.S.); (O.F.)
| | - Diawo Diallo
- Pole of Zoology, Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (D.D.); (E.H.N.); (M.D.)
| | - Hadiza Soumaila
- Programme National de Lutte contre le Paludisme, Ministère de la Santé Publique du Niger, Niamey BP 623, Niger;
- PMI Vector Link Project, Niamey BP 11051, Niger
| | - El Hadji Ndiaye
- Pole of Zoology, Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (D.D.); (E.H.N.); (M.D.)
| | - Adamou Lagare
- Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire, Niamey BP 10887, Niger; (A.L.); (F.S.); (J.T.)
| | - Bacary Djilocalisse Sadio
- Pole of Virology, WHO Collaborating Center For Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Virus, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (B.D.S.); (M.H.D.N.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (O.F.); (A.A.S.); (O.F.)
| | - Marie Henriette Dior Ndione
- Pole of Virology, WHO Collaborating Center For Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Virus, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (B.D.S.); (M.H.D.N.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (O.F.); (A.A.S.); (O.F.)
| | - Michael Wiley
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA;
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE 68198-4355, USA
| | - Moussa Dia
- Pole of Virology, WHO Collaborating Center For Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Virus, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (B.D.S.); (M.H.D.N.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (O.F.); (A.A.S.); (O.F.)
| | - Mamadou Diop
- Biostatistic, Biomathematics and Modelling Group, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (M.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Arame Ba
- Pole of Virology, WHO Collaborating Center For Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Virus, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (B.D.S.); (M.H.D.N.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (O.F.); (A.A.S.); (O.F.)
| | - Fati Sidikou
- Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire, Niamey BP 10887, Niger; (A.L.); (F.S.); (J.T.)
| | | | - Oumar Faye
- Pole of Virology, WHO Collaborating Center For Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Virus, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (B.D.S.); (M.H.D.N.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (O.F.); (A.A.S.); (O.F.)
| | - Jean Testa
- Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire, Niamey BP 10887, Niger; (A.L.); (F.S.); (J.T.)
| | - Cheikh Loucoubar
- Biostatistic, Biomathematics and Modelling Group, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (M.D.); (C.L.)
| | - Amadou Alpha Sall
- Pole of Virology, WHO Collaborating Center For Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Virus, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (B.D.S.); (M.H.D.N.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (O.F.); (A.A.S.); (O.F.)
| | - Mawlouth Diallo
- Pole of Zoology, Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (D.D.); (E.H.N.); (M.D.)
| | - Ousmane Faye
- Pole of Virology, WHO Collaborating Center For Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Virus, Institut Pasteur, Dakar BP 220, Senegal; (B.D.S.); (M.H.D.N.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (O.F.); (A.A.S.); (O.F.)
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Pervanidou D, Vakali A, Georgakopoulou T, Panagiotopoulos T, Patsoula E, Koliopoulos G, Politis C, Stamoulis K, Gavana E, Pappa S, Mavrouli M, Emmanouil M, Sourvinos G, Mentis A, Tsakris A, Hadjichristodoulou C, Tsiodras S, Papa A. West Nile virus in humans, Greece, 2018: the largest seasonal number of cases, 9 years after its emergence in the country. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 25. [PMID: 32794446 PMCID: PMC7427301 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.32.1900543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection are recorded since 2010 in Greece, with seasonal outbreaks occurring almost annually. Enhanced surveillance has been implemented since 2010, to promptly characterise cases’ temporal and geographical distribution and inform authorities for implementation of appropriate measures (mosquito control, health education, blood safety). Aim We describe the epidemiology of WNV human infections in Greece focusing on the 2018 season. Methods The National Public Health Organization advised physicians to test all suspect WNV infection cases and refer samples to reference laboratories. Laboratories notified diagnosed cases on a daily basis. Treating physicians, patients, and infected blood donors were interviewed within 48 hours after diagnosis and the probable infection location was identified. Hospitalised cases were followed up until discharge. Results A total of 317 autochthonous WNV infection cases were diagnosed in 2018. Among them, 243 cases had neuroinvasive disease (WNND), representing a 23% increase of WNND cases compared with 2010, the previous most intense season. There were 51 deaths. Cases started occurring from week 22, earlier than usual. Both rural and urban areas were affected, with 86 (26% of the total) municipalities belonging to seven (54% of the total) regions recording cases. Two major epicentres were identified in Attica and Central Macedonia regions. Conclusions The largest number of human cases of WNV infection ever recorded in Greece occurred in 2018, with a wide geographical distribution, suggesting intense virus circulation. Enhanced surveillance is vital for the early detection of human cases and the prompt implementation of response measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danai Pervanidou
- Hellenic National Public Health Organization/former Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Annita Vakali
- Hellenic National Public Health Organization/former Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Theano Georgakopoulou
- Hellenic National Public Health Organization/former Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Takis Panagiotopoulos
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health Policy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Patsoula
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health Policy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Constantina Politis
- Hellenic National Public Health Organization/former Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Elpida Gavana
- National Reference Center for Arboviruses and Haemorrhagic Fever Viruses, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Styliani Pappa
- National Reference Center for Arboviruses and Haemorrhagic Fever Viruses, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Mavrouli
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Emmanouil
- Diagnostic Services Laboratory, Public Health Laboratories, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - George Sourvinos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Andreas Mentis
- Diagnostic Services Laboratory, Public Health Laboratories, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanassios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Sotirios Tsiodras
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Hellenic National Public Health Organization/former Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Papa
- National Reference Center for Arboviruses and Haemorrhagic Fever Viruses, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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17
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Pallari CT, Efstathiou A, Moysi M, Papanikolas N, Christodoulou V, Mazeris A, Koliou M, Kirschel ANG. Evidence of West Nile virus seropositivity in wild birds on the island of Cyprus. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 74:101592. [PMID: 33276289 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101592] [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: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV)1 is an emerging pathogen in Cyprus, with the first human case of infection reported in 2016, and another documented in 2018. A cluster of cases in humans was then reported in 2019. However, little is known regarding which avian species might bring WNV to Cyprus. Here, we investigated seroprevalence of WNV antibodies in migratory and resident birds, captured across Cyprus to assess to what extent human populations might be exposed to WNV. We used Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)2 to test for the presence of WNV antibodies in 836 avian blood samples of 44 species captured between 2015 and 2020. A seropositivity rate of 1.3 % was found. The majority of seropositive wild birds belonged to the migratory species Sylvia atricapilla, a common and widespread migrant, implying a high risk of WNV being introduced throughout Cyprus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chryso Th Pallari
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, PO Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
| | - Athina Efstathiou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, PO Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
| | - Michaella Moysi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, PO Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
| | - Nikolas Papanikolas
- 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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Human West Nile Meningo-Encephalitis in a Highly Endemic Country: A Complex Epidemiological Analysis on Biotic and Abiotic Risk Factors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17218250. [PMID: 33171693 PMCID: PMC7664930 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17218250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is one of the most prevalent mosquito-borne viruses. Although the infection in humans is mostly asymptomatic, 15–20% of cases show flu-like symptoms with fever. In 1% of infections, humans develop severe nervous symptoms and even die, a condition known as West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND). The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of abiotic and biotic factors with the human WNND cases during the period 2015–2019. A database containing all the localities in Romania was developed. Abiotic and biotic predictors were included for each locality: geographic variables, climatic data, and biotic factors. Spatial distribution of the WNND infections was analyzed using directional distribution (DD). The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was employed to assess the strength of association between the WNND infections and predictors. A model was generated using the random forest ensemble learning method. A total number of 535 human WNND cases were confirmed in 308 localities. The DD showed a south-eastern geographical distribution. Weak correlation was observed between the number of human WNND cases for each year and the predictors. The highest predicted probability was around urbanized patches in the south and southeast. Increased surveillance and control measures of vectors in risk areas should be implemented and educational campaigns should be made available for the general public in order to raise awareness of the disease and inform the population about prophylactic measures.
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19
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Predicting WNV Circulation in Italy Using Earth Observation Data and Extreme Gradient Boosting Model. REMOTE SENSING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/rs12183064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
West Nile Disease (WND) is one of the most spread zoonosis in Italy and Europe caused by a vector-borne virus. Its transmission cycle is well understood, with birds acting as the primary hosts and mosquito vectors transmitting the virus to other birds, while humans and horses are occasional dead-end hosts. Identifying suitable environmental conditions across large areas containing multiple species of potential hosts and vectors can be difficult. The recent and massive availability of Earth Observation data and the continuous development of innovative Machine Learning methods can contribute to automatically identify patterns in big datasets and to make highly accurate identification of areas at risk. In this paper, we investigated the West Nile Virus (WNV) circulation in relation to Land Surface Temperature, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Surface Soil Moisture collected during the 160 days before the infection took place, with the aim of evaluating the predictive capacity of lagged remotely sensed variables in the identification of areas at risk for WNV circulation. WNV detection in mosquitoes, birds and horses in 2017, 2018 and 2019, has been collected from the National Information System for Animal Disease Notification. An Extreme Gradient Boosting model was trained with data from 2017 and 2018 and tested for the 2019 epidemic, predicting the spatio-temporal WNV circulation two weeks in advance with an overall accuracy of 0.84. This work lays the basis for a future early warning system that could alert public authorities when climatic and environmental conditions become favourable to the onset and spread of WNV.
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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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21
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Bakhshi H, Beck C, Lecollinet S, Monier M, Mousson L, Zakeri S, Raz A, Arzamani K, Nourani L, Dinparast-Djadid N, Failloux AB. Serological evidence of West Nile virus infection among birds and horses in some geographical locations of Iran. Vet Med Sci 2020; 7:204-209. [PMID: 32858762 PMCID: PMC7840194 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.342] [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: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent expansion of arboviruses such as West Nile (WNV), Usutu (USUV), and tick‐borne encephalitis (TBEV) over their natural range of distribution needs strengthening their surveillance. As common viral vertebrate hosts, birds and horses deserve special attention with routine serological surveillance. Here, we estimated the seroprevalence of WNV, USUV and TBEV in 160 migrating/resident birds and 60 horses sampled in Mazandaran, Golestan, North Khorasan, Kordestan provinces and Golestan province of Iran respectively. ELISA results showed that of 220 collected samples, 32 samples (14.54%), including 22 birds and 10 horses, were positive. Microsphere immunoassay results showed that 16.7% (10/60) of horse blood samples collected in Golestan province were seropositive against WNV (7; 11.7%), Flavivirus (2; 3.3%) and seropositive for USUV or WNV (1; 1.7%). Furthermore, micro virus neutralization tests revealed that four of seven ELISA‐positive bird blood samples were seropositive against WNV: two Egyptian vultures, and one long‐legged buzzard collected in Golestan province as well as a golden eagle collected in North Khorasan province. No evidence of seropositivity with TBEV was observed in collected samples. We showed that WNV, responsible for neuroinvasive infection in vertebrates, is circulating among birds and horses in Iran, recommending a sustained surveillance of viral infections in animals, and anticipating future infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Bakhshi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Cécile Beck
- EURL on Equine Diseases, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- EURL on Equine Diseases, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Maëlle Monier
- EURL on Equine Diseases, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Laurence Mousson
- Department of virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Sedigheh Zakeri
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kourosh Arzamani
- Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Leila Nourani
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Dinparast-Djadid
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Department of virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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22
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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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23
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Brenner SJ, Jorgensen JG. Declines of Black-Billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) and Black-Capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) in the North-Central United States Following the Invasion of West Nile Virus. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2020. [DOI: 10.3398/064.080.0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Brenner
- Nongame Bird Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE 68503
| | - Joel G. Jorgensen
- Nongame Bird Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE 68503
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24
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25
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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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26
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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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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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28
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Michel F, Sieg M, Fischer D, Keller M, Eiden M, Reuschel M, Schmidt V, Schwehn R, Rinder M, Urbaniak S, Müller K, Schmoock M, Lühken R, Wysocki P, Fast C, Lierz M, Korbel R, Vahlenkamp TW, Groschup MH, Ziegler U. Evidence for West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus Infections in Wild and Resident Birds in Germany, 2017 and 2018. Viruses 2019; 11:v11070674. [PMID: 31340516 PMCID: PMC6669720 DOI: 10.3390/v11070674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild birds play an important role as reservoir hosts and vectors for zoonotic arboviruses and foster their spread. Usutu virus (USUV) has been circulating endemically in Germany since 2011, while West Nile virus (WNV) was first diagnosed in several bird species and horses in 2018. In 2017 and 2018, we screened 1709 live wild and zoo birds with real-time polymerase chain reaction and serological assays. Moreover, organ samples from bird carcasses submitted in 2017 were investigated. Overall, 57 blood samples of the live birds (2017 and 2018), and 100 organ samples of dead birds (2017) were positive for USUV-RNA, while no WNV-RNA-positive sample was found. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the first detection of USUV lineage Europe 2 in Germany and the spread of USUV lineages Europe 3 and Africa 3 towards Northern Germany. USUV antibody prevalence rates were high in Eastern Germany in both years. On the contrary, in Northern Germany, high seroprevalence rates were first detected in 2018, with the first emergence of USUV in this region. Interestingly, high WNV-specific neutralizing antibody titers were observed in resident and short-distance migratory birds in Eastern Germany in 2018, indicating the first signs of a local WNV circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Michel
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Michael Sieg
- Institute of Virology (Faculty of veterinary medicine), Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 29, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dominik Fischer
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Straße 91, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Markus Keller
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Maximilian Reuschel
- Clinic for Small Mammals, Reptiles and Birds, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, D-30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Volker Schmidt
- Clinic for Birds and Reptiles (Faculty of veterinary medicine), Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 17, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rebekka Schwehn
- Clinic for Small Mammals, Reptiles and Birds, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, D-30559 Hannover, Germany
- Seehundstation Nationalpark-Haus Norden-Norddeich, Dörper Weg 24, D-26506 Norden, Germany
| | - Monika Rinder
- Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals, Reptiles and Ornamental Fish, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Sonnenstraße 18, D-85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Sylvia Urbaniak
- Birds of Prey Rehab Center Rhineland (Greifvogelhilfe Rheinland)/Tierarztpraxis Sudhoff, Hehnerholt 105, D-41069 Mönchengladbach, Germany
| | - Kerstin Müller
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Clinic, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19 b, D-14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Schmoock
- Wildpark Schwarze Berge GmbH & Co. KG, Am Wildpark 1, D-21224 Rosengarten, Germany
- Tiermedizin am Rothenbaum, Rothenbaumchaussee 195, D-20149 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhardt-Nocht Straße 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Wysocki
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Fast
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Michael Lierz
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Straße 91, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Korbel
- Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals, Reptiles and Ornamental Fish, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Sonnenstraße 18, D-85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Thomas W Vahlenkamp
- Institute of Virology (Faculty of veterinary medicine), Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 29, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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Karungu S, Atoni E, Ogalo J, Mwaliko C, Agwanda B, Yuan Z, Hu X. Mosquitoes of Etiological Concern in Kenya and Possible Control Strategies. INSECTS 2019; 10:E173. [PMID: 31208124 PMCID: PMC6627689 DOI: 10.3390/insects10060173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Kenya is among the most affected tropical countries with pathogen transmitting Culicidae vectors. For decades, insect vectors have contributed to the emergence and distribution of viral and parasitic pathogens. Outbreaks and diseases have a great impact on a country's economy, as resources that would otherwise be used for developmental projects are redirected to curb hospitalization cases and manage outbreaks. Infected invasive mosquito species have been shown to increasingly cross both local and global boarders due to the presence of increased environmental changes, trade, and tourism. In Kenya, there have been several mosquito-borne disease outbreaks such as the recent outbreaks along the coast of Kenya, involving chikungunya and dengue. This certainly calls for the implementation of strategies aimed at strengthening integrated vector management programs. In this review, we look at mosquitoes of public health concern in Kenya, while highlighting the pathogens they have been linked with over the years and across various regions. In addition, the major strategies that have previously been used in mosquito control and what more could be done to reduce or combat the menace caused by these hematophagous vectors are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Karungu
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Evans Atoni
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Joseph Ogalo
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Caroline Mwaliko
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Bernard Agwanda
- Mammalogy Section, National Museum of Kenya, P.O. Box 40658, Nairobi 00100, Kenya.
| | - Zhiming Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Xiaomin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
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30
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Esser HJ, Mögling R, Cleton NB, van der Jeugd H, Sprong H, Stroo A, Koopmans MPG, de Boer WF, Reusken CBEM. Risk factors associated with sustained circulation of six zoonotic arboviruses: a systematic review for selection of surveillance sites in non-endemic areas. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:265. [PMID: 31133059 PMCID: PMC6537422 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3515-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Arboviruses represent a significant burden to public health and local economies due to their ability to cause unpredictable and widespread epidemics. To maximize early detection of arbovirus emergence in non-endemic areas, surveillance efforts should target areas where circulation is most likely. However, identifying such hotspots of potential emergence is a major challenge. The ecological conditions leading to arbovirus outbreaks are shaped by complex interactions between the virus, its vertebrate hosts, arthropod vector, and abiotic environment that are often poorly understood. Here, we systematically review the ecological risk factors associated with the circulation of six arboviruses that are of considerable concern to northwestern Europe. These include three mosquito-borne viruses (Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, Rift Valley fever virus) and three tick-borne viruses (Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, and louping-ill virus). We consider both intrinsic (e.g. vector and reservoir host competence) and extrinsic (e.g. temperature, precipitation, host densities, land use) risk factors, identify current knowledge gaps, and discuss future directions. Our systematic review provides baseline information for the identification of regions and habitats that have suitable ecological conditions for endemic circulation, and therefore may be used to target early warning surveillance programs aimed at detecting multi-virus and/or arbovirus emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen J Esser
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Ramona Mögling
- Department of Viroscience, WHO CC for arbovirus and viral hemorrhagic fever reference and research, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Natalie B Cleton
- Department of Viroscience, WHO CC for arbovirus and viral hemorrhagic fever reference and research, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Henk van der Jeugd
- Vogeltrekstation-Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Centre (NRC), Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Wageningen, 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 F de Boer
- Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Chantal B E M Reusken
- Department of Viroscience, WHO CC for arbovirus and viral hemorrhagic fever reference and research, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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31
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Ayadi T, Hammouda A, Beck C, Boulinier T, Lecollinet S, Selmi S. Flaviviruses in migratory passerines during spring stopover in a desert oasis. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:495-503. [PMID: 31090178 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Bird migration has long been hypothesized as the main mechanism for long-distance dispersal of flaviviruses, but the role of migratory birds in flaviviruses spillover is not well documented. In this study, we investigated the eco-epidemiology of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in trans-Saharan passerines during their spring stopover in southern Tunisian oases. To do, we combined oral swab analysis and serological tools to assess whether migratory birds could be reaching these stopover sites while infectious or have been previously exposed to viruses. All sampled birds tested negative for oral swab analysis. However, anti-WNV and anti-USUV antibodies were detected in 32% and 1% of tested birds, respectively. Among WNV-seropositive species, the Golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus) showed the highest anti-WNV occurrence probability. In this species, anti-WNV occurrence was twice larger in males than females. Inter-specific and intraspecific morphological, physiological and behavioural differences could explain these results. Although our findings did not show evidence for passerines migrating while infectious, they did not exclude an existing enzootic WNV transmission cycle in Tunisian oases. Further investigations including larger samples of migratory birds are needed for a better understanding of this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Ayadi
- Unité de Recherche 'Ecologie de la Faune Terrestre', UR17ES44, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Gabès, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Abdesslem Hammouda
- Unité de Recherche 'Ecologie de la Faune Terrestre', UR17ES44, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Gabès, Gabès, Tunisia
| | - Ceclie Beck
- UPE, ANSES, Laboratoire de Santé Animale de Maisons-Alfort, UMR1161 Virologie, INRA, ANSES, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Thierry Boulinier
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-Université de Montpellier UMR 5175, Montpellier, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UPE, ANSES, Laboratoire de Santé Animale de Maisons-Alfort, UMR1161 Virologie, INRA, ANSES, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Slaheddine Selmi
- Unité de Recherche 'Ecologie de la Faune Terrestre', UR17ES44, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Gabès, Gabès, Tunisia
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32
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Khan JS, Provencher JF, Forbes MR, Mallory ML, Lebarbenchon C, McCoy KD. Parasites of seabirds: A survey of effects and ecological implications. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2019; 82:1-50. [PMID: 31229148 PMCID: PMC7172769 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Parasites are ubiquitous in the environment, and can cause negative effects in their host species. Importantly, seabirds can be long-lived and cross multiple continents within a single annual cycle, thus their exposure to parasites may be greater than other taxa. With changing climatic conditions expected to influence parasite distribution and abundance, understanding current level of infection, transmission pathways and population-level impacts are integral aspects for predicting ecosystem changes, and how climate change will affect seabird species. In particular, a range of micro- and macro-parasites can affect seabird species, including ticks, mites, helminths, viruses and bacteria in gulls, terns, skimmers, skuas, auks and selected phalaropes (Charadriiformes), tropicbirds (Phaethontiformes), penguins (Sphenisciformes), tubenoses (Procellariiformes), cormorants, frigatebirds, boobies, gannets (Suliformes), and pelicans (Pelecaniformes) and marine seaducks and loons (Anseriformes and Gaviiformes). We found that the seabird orders of Charadriiformes and Procellariiformes were most represented in the parasite-seabird literature. While negative effects were reported in seabirds associated with all the parasite groups, most effects have been studied in adults with less information known about how parasites may affect chicks and fledglings. We found studies most often reported on negative effects in seabird hosts during the breeding season, although this is also the time when most seabird research occurs. Many studies report that external factors such as condition of the host, pollution, and environmental conditions can influence the effects of parasites, thus cumulative effects likely play a large role in how parasites influence seabirds at both the individual and population level. With an increased understanding of parasite-host dynamics it is clear that major environmental changes, often those associated with human activities, can directly or indirectly affect the distribution, abundance, or virulence of parasites and pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junaid S Khan
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, QC, Canada
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, QC, Canada.
| | - Mark R Forbes
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mark L Mallory
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada
| | - Camille Lebarbenchon
- Université de La Réunion, UMR Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, INSERM 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, GIP CYROI, Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Karen D McCoy
- MIVEGEC, UMR 5290 CNRS-IRD-University of Montpellier, Centre IRD, Montpellier, France
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33
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A spatio-temporal individual-based network framework for West Nile virus in the USA: Spreading pattern of West Nile virus. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006875. [PMID: 30865618 PMCID: PMC6433293 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV)—a mosquito-borne arbovirus—entered the USA through New York City in 1999 and spread to the contiguous USA within three years while transitioning from epidemic outbreaks to endemic transmission. The virus is transmitted by vector competent mosquitoes and maintained in the avian populations. WNV spatial distribution is mainly determined by the movement of residential and migratory avian populations. We developed an individual-level heterogeneous network framework across the USA with the goal of understanding the long-range spatial distribution of WNV. To this end, we proposed three distance dispersal kernels model: 1) exponential—short-range dispersal, 2) power-law—long-range dispersal in all directions, and 3) power-law biased by flyway direction —long-range dispersal only along established migratory routes. To select the appropriate dispersal kernel we used the human case data and adopted a model selection framework based on approximate Bayesian computation with sequential Monte Carlo sampling (ABC-SMC). From estimated parameters, we find that the power-law biased by flyway direction kernel is the best kernel to fit WNV human case data, supporting the hypothesis of long-range WNV transmission is mainly along the migratory bird flyways. Through extensive simulation from 2014 to 2016, we proposed and tested hypothetical mitigation strategies and found that mosquito population reduction in the infected states and neighboring states is potentially cost-effective. The underlying pattern of West Nile virus (WNV) geographic spread across the United States is not completely clear, which is a necessary step for continental or state level mitigation strategies to reduce WNV transmission. We report a network model that explains the geographic spread of WNV in the United States. West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne pathogen that infects many avian species with different movement ranges. From our research, we found that migration patterns and routes play an essential role in the WNV spatial distribution. The virus spreads in all directions at short distances because of local birds and short-distance migratory birds. However, the virus also disperses long distances along the avian migratory routes. Our model is designed to be flexible and therefore can be used to explore spreading patterns of other infectious diseases in other geographic locations.
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34
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Lustig Y, Sofer D, Bucris ED, Mendelson E. Surveillance and Diagnosis of West Nile Virus in the Face of Flavivirus Cross-Reactivity. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2421. [PMID: 30369916 PMCID: PMC6194321 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is an arthropod-borne flavivirus whose zoonotic cycle includes both mosquitoes and birds as amplifiers and humans and horses as dead-end hosts. In recent years WNV has been spreading globally and is currently endemic in Africa, The Middle East, India, Australia, central and southern Europe, and the Americas. Integrated surveillance schemes and environmental data aim to detect viral circulation and reduce the risk of infection for the human population emphasizing the critical role for One Health principles in public health. Approximately 20% of WNV infected patients develop West Nile Fever while in less than 1%, infection results in West Nile Neurological Disease. Currently, the diagnosis of WNV infection is primarily based on serology, since molecular identification of WNV RNA is unreliable due to the short viremia. The recent emergence of Zika virus epidemic in America and Asia has added another layer of complexity to WNV diagnosis due to significant cross-reactivity between several members of the Flaviviridae family such as Zika, dengue, Usutu, and West Nile viruses. Diagnosis is especially challenging in persons living in regions with flavivirus co-circulation as well as in travelers from WNV endemic countries traveling to Zika or dengue infected areas or vise-versa. Here, we review the recent studies implementing WNV surveillance of mosquitoes and birds within the One Health initiative. Furthermore, we discuss the utility of novel molecular methods, alongside traditional molecular and serological methods, in WNV diagnosis and epidemiological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaniv Lustig
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Danit Sofer
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Efrat Dahan Bucris
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ella Mendelson
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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35
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Sule WF, Oluwayelu DO, Hernández-Triana LM, Fooks AR, Venter M, Johnson N. Epidemiology and ecology of West Nile virus in sub-Saharan Africa. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:414. [PMID: 30005653 PMCID: PMC6043977 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2998-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the aetiological agent of the mosquito-borne zoonotic disease West Nile fever. The virus, first isolated in Uganda in 1937, evolved into two distinct lineages in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that subsequently spread to most continents where the virus has evolved further as evident through phylogenetic analysis of extant genomes. Numerous published reports from the past 70 years from countries in SSA indicate that the virus is endemic across the region. However, due in part to the limited availability of diagnostic methods across large areas of the continent, the human burden of WNV is poorly understood. So too are the drivers for translocation of the virus from countries south of the Sahara Desert to North Africa and Europe. Migratory birds are implicated in this translocation although the transient viraemia, measured in days, and the time taken to migrate, measured in weeks, suggest a more complex mechanism is in play. This review considers the evidence for the presence of WNV across SSA and the role of migratory birds in the emergence of the virus in other continents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waidi F Sule
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Daniel O Oluwayelu
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.,Centre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | | | - Anthony R Fooks
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT153NB, UK.,Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Marietjie Venter
- Emerging Arbo and Respiratory Program, Centre for Viral Zoonosis, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, KT153NB, UK. .,Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK.
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36
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Ukawuba I, Shaman J. Association of spring-summer hydrology and meteorology with human West Nile virus infection in West Texas, USA, 2002-2016. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:224. [PMID: 29618375 PMCID: PMC5885460 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2781-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) in the Western Hemisphere has motivated research into the processes contributing to the incidence and persistence of the disease in the region. Meteorology and hydrology are fundamental determinants of vector-borne disease transmission dynamics of a region. The availability of water influences the population dynamics of vector and host, while temperature impacts vector growth rates, feeding habits, and disease transmission potential. Characterization of the temporal pattern of environmental factors influencing WNV risk is crucial to broaden our understanding of local transmission dynamics and to inform efforts of control and surveillance. Methods We used hydrologic, meteorological and WNV data from west Texas (2002–2016) to analyze the relationship between environmental conditions and annual human WNV infection. A Bayesian model averaging framework was used to evaluate the association of monthly environmental conditions with WNV infection. Results Findings indicate that wet conditions in the spring combined with dry and cool conditions in the summer are associated with increased annual WNV cases. Bayesian multi-model inference reveals monthly means of soil moisture, specific humidity and temperature to be the most important variables among predictors tested. Environmental conditions in March, June, July and August were the leading predictors in the best-fitting models. Conclusions The results significantly link soil moisture and temperature in the spring and summer to WNV transmission risk. Wet spring in association with dry and cool summer was the temporal pattern best-describing WNV, regardless of year. Our findings also highlight that soil moisture may be a stronger predictor of annual WNV transmission than rainfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Ukawuba
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Jeffrey Shaman
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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37
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A four-year survey (2011-2014) of West Nile virus infection in humans, mosquitoes and birds, including the 2012 meningoencephalitis outbreak in Tunisia. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018. [PMID: 29535295 PMCID: PMC5849722 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0028-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak occurred in Tunisia between mid-July and December 2012. To assess the epidemiological features of the WNV transmission cycle, human cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with suspected cases (n = 79), Culex pipiens mosquitoes (n = 583) and serum specimens from domestic and migratory birds (n = 70) were collected for 4 years (2011–2014) in the Tunisian Sahel region. Viral testing was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The WNV genome was detected in 7 patients (8.8%), 4 Culex pipiens pools, and a domestic mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). All PCR-positive samples were from the Monastir region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two different WNV strain groups circulated, and isolates from the reservoir (bird), vector (Culex pipiens), and dead-end hosts (humans) were closely related. The Monastir region is a hot-spot for WNV infection, and the reiterative presence of WNV over the years has increased the risk of viral reemergence in Tunisia, which highlights the need for more enhanced and effective WNV surveillance in humans with public awareness campaigns strengthened by monitoring mosquitoes and maintaining avian surveillance for early detection of WNV circulation.
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38
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The Role of Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) in Virus Transmission in Europe. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15020389. [PMID: 29473903 PMCID: PMC5858458 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15020389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the past three decades, a range of mosquito-borne viruses that threaten public and veterinary health have emerged or re-emerged in Europe. Mosquito surveillance activities have highlighted the Culex pipiens species complex as being critical for the maintenance of a number of these viruses. This species complex contains morphologically similar forms that exhibit variation in phenotypes that can influence the probability of virus transmission. Critical amongst these is the choice of host on which to feed, with different forms showing different feeding preferences. This influences the ability of the mosquito to vector viruses and facilitate transmission of viruses to humans and domestic animals. Biases towards blood-feeding on avian or mammalian hosts have been demonstrated for different Cx. pipiens ecoforms and emerging evidence of hybrid populations across Europe adds another level of complexity to virus transmission. A range of molecular methods based on DNA have been developed to enable discrimination between morphologically indistinguishable forms, although this remains an active area of research. This review provides a comprehensive overview of developments in the understanding of the ecology, behaviour and genetics of Cx. pipiens in Europe, and how this influences arbovirus transmission.
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A Survey on West Nile and Usutu Viruses in Horses and Birds in Poland. Viruses 2018; 10:v10020087. [PMID: 29462983 PMCID: PMC5850394 DOI: 10.3390/v10020087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are members of the family Flaviviridae which, natural life cycles involve mosquito–bird–mosquito transmission. Both represent emerging viruses in Europe with potential to cause neuroinvasive disease in humans. This study investigates the seroprevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to WNV and to USUV in birds and in horses in Poland. Antibodies against WNV and USUV were detected in 5 (35.7%) and in 1 (7.14%) of 14 birds and in 62 (15.08%) and in 115 (27.98%) of 411 horses, respectively. Twenty-one WNV serologically positive horses (33.87%) and 67 USUV serologically positive horses (58.26%) did not travel outside Polish borders. Given the high abundance of potentially competent mosquito species in Poland, high populations of horses and different bird species, our findings highlight implementation of active control programs, including monitoring of geographic spread and dynamics of WNV and USUV transmission in both primary and accidental hosts. It is also important to improve public health awareness about the disease these viruses may cause.
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40
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Michel F, Fischer D, Eiden M, Fast C, Reuschel M, Müller K, Rinder M, Urbaniak S, Brandes F, Schwehn R, Lühken R, Groschup MH, Ziegler U. West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus Monitoring of Wild Birds in Germany. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15010171. [PMID: 29361762 PMCID: PMC5800270 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
By systematically setting up a unique nation-wide wild bird surveillance network, we monitored migratory and resident birds for zoonotic arthropod-borne virus infections, such as the flaviviruses West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV). More than 1900 wild bird blood samples, from 20 orders and 136 different bird species, were collected between 2014 and 2016. Samples were investigated by WNV and USUV-specific real-time polymerase chain reactions as well as by differentiating virus neutralization tests. Dead bird surveillance data, obtained from organ investigations in 2016, were also included. WNV-specific RNA was not detected, whereas four wild bird blood samples tested positive for USUV-specific RNA. Additionally, 73 USUV-positive birds were detected in the 2016 dead bird surveillance. WNV neutralizing antibodies were predominantly found in long-distance, partial and short-distance migrants, while USUV neutralizing antibodies were mainly detected in resident wild bird species, preferentially with low seroprevalences. To date, WNV-specific RNA has neither been detected in wild birds, nor in mosquitoes, thus, we conclude that WNV is not yet present in Germany. Continued wild bird and mosquito monitoring studies are essential to detect the incursion of zoonotic viruses and to allow risk assessments for zoonotic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Michel
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Dominik Fischer
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Straße 91, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Martin Eiden
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Christine Fast
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Reuschel
- Clinic for Small Mammals, Reptiles and Birds, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, D-30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kerstin Müller
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Clinic, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19 b, D-14163 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Monika Rinder
- Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals, Reptiles and Ornamental Fish, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Sonnenstraße 18, D-85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | - Sylvia Urbaniak
- Birds of Prey Rehab Center Rhineland (Greifvogelhilfe Rheinland), Roermonder Straße 34, D-41379 Brüggen, Germany.
| | - Florian Brandes
- Wildtier-und Artenschutzstation, Hohe Warte 1, D-31553 Sachsenhagen, Germany.
| | - Rebekka Schwehn
- Seehundstation Nationalpark-Haus Norden-Norddeich, Dörper Weg 24, D-26506 Norden, Germany.
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhardt-Nocht Straße 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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Kada S, McCoy KD, Boulinier T. Impact of life stage-dependent dispersal on the colonization dynamics of host patches by ticks and tick-borne infectious agents. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:375. [PMID: 28778181 PMCID: PMC5544987 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2261-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When colonization and gene flow depend on host-mediated dispersal, a key factor affecting vector dispersal potential is the time spent on the host for the blood meal, a characteristic that can vary strongly among life history stages. Using a 2-patch vector-pathogen population model and seabird ticks as biological examples, we explore how vector colonization rates and the spread of infectious agents may be shaped by life stage-dependent dispersal. We contrast hard (Ixodidae) and soft (Argasidae) tick systems, which differ strongly in blood- feeding traits. RESULTS We find that vector life history characteristics (i.e. length of blood meal) and demographic constraints (Allee effects) condition the colonization potential of ticks; hard ticks, which take a single, long blood meal per life stage, should have much higher colonization rates than soft ticks, which take repeated short meals. Moreover, this dispersal potential has direct consequences for the spread of vector-borne infectious agents, in particular when transmission is transovarial. CONCLUSIONS These results have clear implications for predicting the dynamics of vector and disease spread in the context of large-scale environmental change. The findings highlight the need to include life-stage dispersal in models that aim to predict species and disease distributions, and provide testable predictions related to the population genetic structure of vectors and pathogens along expansion fronts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kada
- Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) - CNRS Université Montpellier UMR 5175, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Karen D. McCoy
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, UMR CNRS 5290 - UR IRD 224 - Université Montpellier, Centre IRD, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Thierry Boulinier
- Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) - CNRS Université Montpellier UMR 5175, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
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42
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Liu S, Ruan S, Zhang X. Nonlinear dynamics of avian influenza epidemic models. Math Biosci 2016; 283:118-135. [PMID: 27887851 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2016.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Avian influenza is a zoonotic disease caused by the transmission of the avian influenza A virus, such as H5N1 and H7N9, from birds to humans. The avian influenza A H5N1 virus has caused more than 500 human infections worldwide with nearly a 60% death rate since it was first reported in Hong Kong in 1997. The four outbreaks of the avian influenza A H7N9 in China from March 2013 to June 2016 have resulted in 580 human cases including 202 deaths with a death rate of nearly 35%. In this paper, we construct two avian influenza bird-to-human transmission models with different growth laws of the avian population, one with logistic growth and the other with Allee effect, and analyze their dynamical behavior. We obtain a threshold value for the prevalence of avian influenza and investigate the local or global asymptotical stability of each equilibrium of these systems by using linear analysis technique or combining Liapunov function method and LaSalle's invariance principle, respectively. Moreover, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the occurrence of periodic solutions in the avian influenza system with Allee effect of the avian population. Numerical simulations are also presented to illustrate the theoretical results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanhong Liu
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, 437100, China; School of Mathematics and Statistics, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Shigui Ruan
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China; Department of Mathematics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA.
| | - Xinan Zhang
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
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Tantely ML, Goodman SM, Rakotondranaivo T, Boyer S. Review of West Nile virus circulation and outbreak risk in Madagascar: Entomological and ornithological perspectives. Parasite 2016; 23:49. [PMID: 27849515 PMCID: PMC5112766 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2016058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile fever (WNF) is a zoonotic disease, occurring nearly globally. In Madagascar, West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in 1978 from wild birds and the virus is currently distributed across the island, but no epidemic or epizootic period has been recorded. One fatal human case of WNV infection was reported in 2011, suggesting a "tip of the iceberg" phenomenon of a possible WNF epidemic/epizootic on the island. The main objective of this literature-based survey is to review patterns of WNV circulation in Madagascar from the entomological and ornithological points of view. Among the 235 mosquito species described from Madagascar, 29 species are widely associated with WNV infection; 16 of them are found naturally infected with WNV on the island and categorized into major, candidate, and potential vectors of WNV according to their vector capacity. This study upholds the hypothesis that WNV enzooticity is independent of annual movements of migratory birds passing through Madagascar. Moreover, the lack of regular migratory bird flux between Africa and Madagascar would reduce the probability of transmission and the subsequent reintroduction of the virus into locally occurring mosquito species. Given that Palearctic migratory birds are strongly implicated in the transmission of WNV, we highlight notable differences in the movements and species diversity of these birds in Madagascar as compared to eastern and northern Africa. Risk factors from this two-pronged approach are presented for the emergence of WNF outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Luciano Tantely
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Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Ambatofotsikely BP 1274 Antananarivo 101 Madagascar
| | - Steven M. Goodman
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Field Museum of Natural History 1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago
60605 Illinois USA
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Association Vahatra BP 3972 Antananarivo 101 Madagascar
| | - Tsirinaina Rakotondranaivo
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Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Ambatofotsikely BP 1274 Antananarivo 101 Madagascar
| | - Sébastien Boyer
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Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Ambatofotsikely BP 1274 Antananarivo 101 Madagascar
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44
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Hoverman JT, Searle CL. Behavioural influences on disease risk: implications for conservation and management. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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45
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Brustolin M, Talavera S, Santamaría C, Rivas R, Pujol N, Aranda C, Marquès E, Valle M, Verdún M, Pagès N, Busquets N. Culex pipiens and Stegomyia albopicta (= Aedes albopictus) populations as vectors for lineage 1 and 2 West Nile virus in Europe. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 30:166-173. [PMID: 26890285 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The emerging disease West Nile fever is caused by West Nile virus (WNV), one of the most widespread arboviruses. This study represents the first test of the vectorial competence of European Culex pipiens Linnaeus 1758 and Stegomyia albopicta (= Aedes albopictus) (both: Diptera: Culicidae) populations for lineage 1 and 2 WNV isolated in Europe. Culex pipiens and S. albopicta populations were susceptible to WNV infection, had disseminated infection, and were capable of transmitting both WNV lineages. This is the first WNV competence assay to maintain mosquito specimens under environmental conditions mimicking the field (day/night) conditions associated with the period of maximum expected WNV activity. The importance of environmental conditions is discussed and the issue of how previous experiments conducted in fixed high temperatures may have overestimated WNV vector competence results with respect to natural environmental conditions is analysed. The information presented should be useful to policymakers and public health authorities for establishing effective WNV surveillance and vector control programmes. This would improve preparedness to prevent future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Brustolin
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Talavera
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Santamaría
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Rivas
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Pujol
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Aranda
- Servei de Control de Mosquits, Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Marquès
- Servei de Control de Mosquits de la Badia de Roses i del Baix Ter, Empuriabrava, Spain
| | - M Valle
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Verdún
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Pagès
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Busquets
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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46
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Miller MJ, Esser HJ, Loaiza JR, Herre EA, Aguilar C, Quintero D, Alvarez E, Bermingham E. Molecular Ecological Insights into Neotropical Bird-Tick Interactions. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155989. [PMID: 27203693 PMCID: PMC4874597 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the tropics, ticks parasitize many classes of vertebrate hosts. However, because many tropical tick species are only identifiable in the adult stage, and these adults usually parasitize mammals, most attention on the ecology of tick-host interactions has focused on mammalian hosts. In contrast, immature Neotropical ticks are often found on wild birds, yet difficulties in identifying immatures hinder studies of birds' role in tropical tick ecology and tick-borne disease transmission. In Panama, we found immature ticks on 227 out of 3,498 individually-sampled birds representing 93 host species (24% of the bird species sampled, and 13% of the Panamanian land bird fauna). Tick parasitism rates did not vary with rainfall or temperature, but did vary significantly with several host ecological traits. Likewise, Neotropical-Nearctic migratory birds were significantly less likely to be infested than resident species. Using a molecular library developed from morphologically-identified adult ticks specifically for this study, we identified eleven tick species parasitizing birds, indicating that a substantial portion of the Panamanian avian species pool is parasitized by a diversity of tick species. Tick species that most commonly parasitized birds had the widest diversity of avian hosts, suggesting that immature tick species are opportunistic bird parasites. Although certain avian ecological traits are positively associated with parasitism, we found no evidence that individual tick species show specificity to particular avian host ecological traits. Finally, our data suggest that the four principal vectors of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the Neotropics rarely, if ever, parasitize Panamanian birds. However, other tick species that harbor newly-discovered rickettsial parasites of unknown pathogenicity are frequently found on these birds. Given our discovery of broad interaction between Panamanian tick and avian biodiversity, future work on tick ecology and the dynamics of emerging tropical tick-borne pathogens should explicitly consider wild bird as hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Miller
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Department of Biology, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Helen J. Esser
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jose R. Loaiza
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Centralamerican Master’s Program in Entomology, University of Panama, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Edward Allen Herre
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Celestino Aguilar
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Diomedes Quintero
- G. B. Fairchild Invertebrate Museum, University of Panama, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Eric Alvarez
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Centralamerican Master’s Program in Entomology, University of Panama, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Eldredge Bermingham
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, Miami, Florida, United States of America
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47
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Paştiu AI, Pap PL, Vágási CI, Niculae M, Páll E, Domşa C, Brudaşcă FG, Spînu M. Wild Birds in Romania Are More Exposed to West Nile Virus Than to Newcastle Disease Virus. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 16:176-80. [PMID: 26824796 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in wild and domestic birds from Romania. During 2011-2014, 159 plasma samples from wild birds assigned to 11 orders, 27 families, and 61 species and from 21 domestic birds (Gallus gallus domesticus, Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) were collected. The sera were assayed by two commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) kits for antibodies against WNV and NDV. We found a high prevalence of WNV antibodies in both domestic (19.1%) and wild (32.1%) birds captured after the human epidemic in 2010. Moreover, the presence of anti-NDV antibodies among wild birds from Romania (5.4%) was confirmed serologically for the first time, as far as we are aware. Our findings provide evidence that wild birds, especially resident ones are involved in local West Nile and Newcastle disease enzootic and epizootic cycles. These may allow virus maintenance and spread and also enhance the chance of new outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamaria Ioana Paştiu
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca , Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Péter László Pap
- 2 Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University , Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Csongor István Vágási
- 2 Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University , Cluj Napoca, Romania .,3 MTA-DE "Lendület" Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen , Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mihaela Niculae
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca , Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Emőke Páll
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca , Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristian Domşa
- 4 Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Department, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca , Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Florinel Ghe Brudaşcă
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca , Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Marina Spînu
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca , Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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48
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Kauffman EB, Franke MA, Kramer LD. Detection Protocols for West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes, Birds, and Nonhuman Mammals. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1435:175-206. [PMID: 27188559 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3670-0_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus is the most widespread mosquito-borne virus in the world, and the most common cause of encephalitis in the USA. Surveillance for this medially important mosquito-borne pathogen is an important part of public health practice. Here we present protocols for testing environmental samples such as mosquitoes, nonvertebrate mammals, and birds for this virus, including RT-PCR, virus isolation in cell culture, and antigenic assays, as well as serologic assays for antibody detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth B Kauffman
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 5668 State Farm Road, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA.
| | - Mary A Franke
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 5668 State Farm Road, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA
| | - Laura D Kramer
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 5668 State Farm Road, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA.,School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA
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49
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Omondi D, Masiga DK, Ajamma YU, Fielding BC, Njoroge L, Villinger J. Unraveling Host-Vector-Arbovirus Interactions by Two-Gene High Resolution Melting Mosquito Bloodmeal Analysis in a Kenyan Wildlife-Livestock Interface. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134375. [PMID: 26230507 PMCID: PMC4521840 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-feeding patterns of mosquitoes are directly linked to the spread of pathogens that they transmit. Efficient identification of arthropod vector bloodmeal hosts can identify the diversity of vertebrate species potentially involved in disease transmission cycles. While molecular bloodmeal analyses rely on sequencing of cytochrome b (cyt b) or cytochrome oxidase 1 gene PCR products, recently developed bloodmeal host identification based on high resolution melting (HRM) analyses of cyt b PCR products is more cost-effective. To resolve the diverse vertebrate hosts that mosquitoes may potentially feed on in sub-Saharan Africa, we utilized HRM profiles of both cyt b and 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Among 445 blood-fed Aedeomyia, Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, Mansonia, and Mimomyia mosquitoes from Kenya’s Lake Victoria and Lake Baringo regions where many mosquito-transmitted pathogens are endemic, we identified 33 bloodmeal hosts including humans, eight domestic animal species, six peridomestic animal species and 18 wildlife species. This resolution of vertebrate host species was only possible by comparing profiles of both cyt b and 16S markers, as melting profiles of some pairs of species were similar for either marker but not both. We identified mixed bloodmeals in a Culex pipiens from Mbita that had fed on a goat and a human and in two Mansonia africana mosquitoes from Baringo that each had fed on a rodent (Arvicanthis niloticus) in addition to a human or baboon. We further detected Sindbis and Bunyamwera viruses in blood-fed mosquito homogenates by Vero cell culture and RT-PCR in Culex, Aedeomyia, Anopheles and Mansonia mosquitoes from Baringo that had fed on humans and livestock. The observed mosquito feeding on both arbovirus amplifying hosts (including sheep and goats) and possible arbovirus reservoirs (birds, porcupine, baboons, rodents) informs arbovirus disease epidemiology and vector control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Omondi
- Martin Lüscher Emerging Infectious Disease (ML-EID) Laboratory, International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology, P. O Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- Molecular Biology and Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, University of Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Egerton University, P.O Box 536, Egerton, 20115, Kenya
| | - Daniel K. Masiga
- Martin Lüscher Emerging Infectious Disease (ML-EID) Laboratory, International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology, P. O Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Yvonne Ukamaka Ajamma
- Martin Lüscher Emerging Infectious Disease (ML-EID) Laboratory, International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology, P. O Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Burtram C. Fielding
- Molecular Biology and Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Biosciences, University of Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
| | - Laban Njoroge
- Invertebrates Zoology Section, Zoology Department, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 40658-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- Martin Lüscher Emerging Infectious Disease (ML-EID) Laboratory, International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology, P. O Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
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50
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Duggal NK, Reisen WK, Fang Y, Newman RM, Yang X, Ebel GD, Brault AC. Genotype-specific variation in West Nile virus dispersal in California. Virology 2015. [PMID: 26210076 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an arbovirus that was first reported in North America in New York in 1999 and, by 2003, had spread more than 4000 km to California. However, variation in viral genetics associated with spread is not well understood. Herein, we report sequences for more than 100 WNV isolates made from mosquito pools that were collected from 2003 to 2011 as part of routine surveillance by the California Mosquito-borne Virus Surveillance System. We performed phylogeographic analyses and demonstrated that 5 independent introductions of WNV (1 WN02 genotype strain and 4 SW03 genotype strains) occurred in California. The SW03 genotype of WNV was constrained to the southwestern U.S. and had a more rapid rate of spread. In addition, geographic constraint of WNV strains within a single region for up to 6 years suggest viral maintenance has been driven by resident, rather than migratory, birds and overwintering in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha K Duggal
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - William K Reisen
- Center for Vectorborne Diseases, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ying Fang
- Center for Vectorborne Diseases, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ruchi M Newman
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xiao Yang
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gregory D Ebel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Aaron C Brault
- Division of Vector-borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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