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Aguilera-Sepúlveda P, Cano-Gómez C, Villalba R, Borges V, Agüero M, Bravo-Barriga D, Frontera E, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Fernández-Pinero J. The key role of Spain in the traffic of West Nile virus lineage 1 strains between Europe and Africa. Infect Dis (Lond) 2024; 56:743-758. [PMID: 38836293 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2024.2348633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND West Nile Virus (WNV) is a zoonotic arbovirus worldwide spread. Seasonal WNV outbreaks occur in the Mediterranean basin since the late 1990's with ever-increasing incidence. In Southern Spain WNV is endemic, as disease foci - caused by WNV lineage 1 (WNV-L1) strains - occur every year. On the contrary, WNV-L2 is the dominant lineage in Europe, so most European WNV sequences available belong to this lineage, WNV-L1 sequences being still scarce. METHODS To fill this gap, this study reports the genetic characterisation of 27 newly described WNV-L1 strains, involved in outbreaks affecting wild birds and horses during the last decade in South-Western Spain. RESULTS All strains except one belong to the Western Mediterranean-1 sub-cluster (WMed-1), related phylogenetically to Italian, French, Portuguese, Moroccan and, remarkably, Senegalese strains. This sub-cluster persisted, spread and evolved into three distinguishable WMed-1 phylogenetic groups that co-circulated, notably, in the same province (Cádiz). They displayed different behaviours: from long-term persistence and rapid spread to neighbouring regions within Spain, to long-distance spread to different countries, including transcontinental spread to Africa. Among the different introductions of WNV in Spain revealed in this study, some of them succeeded to get established, some extinguished from the territory shortly afterwards. Furthermore, Spain's southernmost province, Cádiz, constitutes a hotspot for virus incursion. CONCLUSION Southern Spain seems a likely scenario for emergence of exotic pathogens of African origin. Therefore, circulation of diverse WNV-L1 variants in Spain prompts for an extensive surveillance under a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristina Cano-Gómez
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), CSIC, Valdeolmos, Spain
| | - Rubén Villalba
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), Algete, Spain
| | - Vítor Borges
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Montserrat Agüero
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), Algete, Spain
| | - Daniel Bravo-Barriga
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Eva Frontera
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), CSIC, Valdeolmos, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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2
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Williams RAJ, Criollo Valencia HA, López Márquez I, González González F, Llorente F, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Busquets N, Mateo Barrientos M, Ortiz-Díez G, Ayllón Santiago T. West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in Wild Birds and Equines in Madrid Province, Spain. Vet Sci 2024; 11:259. [PMID: 38922006 PMCID: PMC11209238 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a re-emerging flavivirus, primarily circulating among avian hosts and mosquito vectors, causing periodic outbreaks in humans and horses, often leading to neuroinvasive disease and mortality. Spain has reported several outbreaks, most notably in 2020 with seventy-seven human cases and eight fatalities. WNV has been serologically detected in horses in the Community of Madrid, but to our knowledge, it has never been reported from wild birds in this region. To estimate the seroprevalence of WNV in wild birds and horses in the Community of Madrid, 159 wild birds at a wildlife rescue center and 25 privately owned equines were sampled. Serum from thirteen birds (8.2%) and one equine (4.0%) tested positive with a WNV competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) designed for WNV antibody detection but sensitive to cross-reacting antibodies to other flaviviruses. Virus-neutralization test (VNT) confirmed WNV antibodies in four bird samples (2.5%), and antibodies to undetermined flavivirus in four additional samples. One equine sample (4.0%) tested positive for WNV by VNT, although this horse previously resided in a WN-endemic area. ELISA-positive birds included both migratory and resident species, juveniles and adults. Two seropositive juvenile birds suggest local flavivirus transmission within the Community of Madrid, while WNV seropositive adult birds may have been infected outside Madrid. The potential circulation of flaviviruses, including WNV, in birds in the Madrid Community raises concerns, although further surveillance of mosquitoes, wild birds, and horses in Madrid is necessary to establish the extent of transmission and the principal species involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. J. Williams
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Nováis, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Irene López Márquez
- Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and their Habitat—GREFA, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (I.L.M.); (F.G.G.)
| | - Fernando González González
- Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and their Habitat—GREFA, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (I.L.M.); (F.G.G.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Llorente
- Animal Health Research Center (CISA-INIA), CSIC, 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (F.L.)
| | | | - Núria Busquets
- IRTA, Animal Health Program, Animal Health Research Center (CReSA), Campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Mixed Research Unit IRTA-UAB in Animal Health, Animal Health Research Center (CReSA), Campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Marta Mateo Barrientos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Gustavo Ortiz-Díez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Tania Ayllón Santiago
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Nováis, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University, 28691 Madrid, Spain;
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3
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Bušić N, Klobučar A, Landeka N, Žitko T, Vignjević G, Turić N, Sudarić Bogojević M, Merdić E, Kučinić M, Bruvo Mađarić B. A DNA barcode reference library of Croatian mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae): implications for identification and delimitation of species, with notes on the distribution of potential vector species. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:216. [PMID: 38734639 PMCID: PMC11088778 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06291-9] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mosquitoes pose a risk to human health worldwide, and correct species identification and detection of cryptic species are the most important keys for surveillance and control of mosquito vectors. In addition to traditional identification based on morphology, DNA barcoding has recently been widely used as a complementary tool for reliable identification of mosquito species. The main objective of this study was to create a reference DNA barcode library for the Croatian mosquito fauna, which should contribute to more accurate and faster identification of species, including cryptic species, and recognition of relevant vector species. METHODS Sampling was carried out in three biogeographical regions of Croatia over six years (2017-2022). The mosquitoes were morphologically identified; molecular identification was based on the standard barcoding region of the mitochondrial COI gene and the nuclear ITS2 region, the latter to identify species within the Anopheles maculipennis complex. The BIN-RESL algorithm assigned the COI sequences to the corresponding BINs (Barcode Index Number clusters) in BOLD, i.e. to putative MOTUs (Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units). The bPTP and ASAP species delimitation methods were applied to the genus datasets in order to verify/confirm the assignment of specimens to specific MOTUs. RESULTS A total of 405 mosquito specimens belonging to six genera and 30 morphospecies were collected and processed. Species delimitation methods assigned the samples to 31 (BIN-RESL), 30 (bPTP) and 28 (ASAP) MOTUs, with most delimited MOTUs matching the morphological identification. Some species of the genera Culex, Aedes and Anopheles were assigned to the same MOTUs, especially species that are difficult to distinguish morphologically and/or represent species complexes. In total, COI barcode sequences for 34 mosquito species and ITS2 sequences for three species of the genus Anopheles were added to the mosquito sequence database for Croatia, including one individual from the Intrudens Group, which represents a new record for the Croatian mosquito fauna. CONCLUSION We present the results of the first comprehensive study combining morphological and molecular identification of most mosquito species present in Croatia, including several invasive and vector species. With the exception of some closely related species, this study confirmed that DNA barcoding based on COI provides a reliable basis for the identification of mosquito species in Croatia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Bušić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.
| | - Ana Klobučar
- Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nediljko Landeka
- Teaching Institute for Public Health of the Istrian County, Pula, Croatia
| | - Toni Žitko
- Teaching Institute for Public Health, Split-Dalmatia County, Split, Croatia
| | - Goran Vignjević
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Nataša Turić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Teaching Institute for Public Health of the Osijek-Baranja County, Osijek, Croatia
| | | | - Enrih Merdić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Mladen Kučinić
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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4
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Ruiz-López MJ, Aguilera-Sepúlveda P, Cebrián-Camisón S, Figuerola J, Magallanes S, Varona S, Cuesta I, Cano-Gómez C, Sánchez-Mora P, Camacho J, Sánchez-Peña C, Marchena FJ, Ameyugo U, Ruíz S, Sánchez-Seco MP, Agüero M, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Fernández-Pinero J, Vázquez A. Re-Emergence of a West Nile Virus (WNV) Variant in South Spain with Rapid Spread Capacity. Viruses 2023; 15:2372. [PMID: 38140614 PMCID: PMC10747266 DOI: 10.3390/v15122372] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito vector-borne zoonosis with an increasing incidence in Europe that has become a public health concern. In Spain, although local circulation has been known for decades, until 2020, when a large outbreak occurred, West Nile Virus cases were scarce and mostly occurred in southern Spain. Since then, there have been new cases every year and the pathogen has spread to new regions. Thus, monitoring of circulating variants and lineages plays a fundamental role in understanding WNV evolution, spread and dynamics. In this study, we sequenced WNV consensus genomes from mosquito pools captured in 2022 as part of a newly implemented surveillance program in southern Spain and compared it to other European, African and Spanish sequences. Characterization of WNV genomes in mosquitoes captured in 2022 reveals the co-circulation of two WNV lineage 1 variants, the one that caused the outbreak in 2020 and another variant that is closely related to variants reported in Spain in 2012, France in 2015, Italy in 2021-2022 and Senegal in 2012-2018. The geographic distribution of these variants indicates that WNV L1 dynamics in southern Europe include an alternating dominance of variants in some territories.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Ruiz-López
- Estación Biológica de Doñana—CSIC, Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (S.M.)
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Sonia Cebrián-Camisón
- Estación Biológica de Doñana—CSIC, Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (S.M.)
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana—CSIC, Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (S.M.)
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Magallanes
- Estación Biológica de Doñana—CSIC, Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (S.M.)
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sarai Varona
- Unidad Bioinformática, Unidades Centrales Científico-Técnicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (S.V.); (I.C.)
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado de la UNED (EIDUNED), Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28232 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Cuesta
- Unidad Bioinformática, Unidades Centrales Científico-Técnicas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (S.V.); (I.C.)
| | - Cristina Cano-Gómez
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), CSIC, 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (P.A.-S.)
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Algete, 28110 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Sánchez-Mora
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CNM-ISCIII, Carretera Pozuelo-Majadahonda, Km. 2.2, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.S.-M.)
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Camacho
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CNM-ISCIII, Carretera Pozuelo-Majadahonda, Km. 2.2, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.S.-M.)
| | - Carolina Sánchez-Peña
- Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Salud y Familias, Dirección General de Salud Pública y Ordenación Farmaceútica, Subdirección de Protección de la Salud, 41020 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Francisco José Marchena
- Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Salud y Familias, Dirección General de Salud Pública y Ordenación Farmaceútica, Subdirección de Protección de la Salud, 41020 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ulises Ameyugo
- Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Salud y Familias, Dirección General de Salud Pública y Ordenación Farmaceútica, Subdirección de Protección de la Salud, 41020 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Santiago Ruíz
- Servicio de Control de Mosquitos de la Diputación Provincial de Huelva, Ctra. Hospital Infanta Elena s/n, 21007 Huelva, Spain
| | - María Paz Sánchez-Seco
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CNM-ISCIII, Carretera Pozuelo-Majadahonda, Km. 2.2, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.S.-M.)
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat Agüero
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Algete, 28110 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), CSIC, 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (P.A.-S.)
| | - Jovita Fernández-Pinero
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), CSIC, 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (P.A.-S.)
| | - Ana Vázquez
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CNM-ISCIII, Carretera Pozuelo-Majadahonda, Km. 2.2, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (P.S.-M.)
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5
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Hiraldo JDG, Fuerte-Hortigón A, Domínguez-Mayoral A, De la Rosa Riestra S, Palacios-Baena ZR, Fernández FS, Ruiz RL, Pascual-Vaca D, de León CM, Hurtado RJ, Sanbonmatsu-Gámez S. Uncovering the neurological effects of West Nile virus during a record-breaking southern Spain outbreak in 2020-2021. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 383:578179. [PMID: 37657130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578179] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The 2020-21 West Nile Virus (WNV) outbreak in Andalusia, Spain, was the largest reported in the country, with eight cases of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) diagnosed in a tertiary hospital. Diagnosis of WNND is based on detecting WNV RNA, viral isolation, or demonstrating a specific immune response against the virus, with additional tests used to support the diagnosis. Treatment remains supportive, with variable outcomes. The potential efficacy of plasma exchange (PLEX) in select cases raises the possibility of an autoimmune component secondary to infectious pathology of the central nervous system. The influence of climate change on the expansion of WNV into new regions is a significant concern. It is crucial for physicians practicing in high-risk areas to be knowledgeable about the disease for early prevention and effective control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sandra De la Rosa Riestra
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Virgen Macarena/Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), Spain
| | - Zaira R Palacios-Baena
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Virgen Macarena/Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), Spain
| | | | - Rocio López Ruiz
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain
| | - Diego Pascual-Vaca
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, University Hospital Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Rafael Jiménez Hurtado
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain
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6
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Gothe LMR, Ganzenberg S, Ziegler U, Obiegala A, Lohmann KL, Sieg M, Vahlenkamp TW, Groschup MH, Hörügel U, Pfeffer M. Horses as Sentinels for the Circulation of Flaviviruses in Eastern-Central Germany. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051108. [PMID: 37243194 DOI: 10.3390/v15051108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 2018, autochthonous West Nile virus (WNV) infections have been regularly reported in eastern-central Germany. While clinically apparent infections in humans and horses are not frequent, seroprevalence studies in horses may allow the tracing of WNV and related flaviviruses transmission, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Usutu virus (USUV), and consequently help to estimate the risk of human infections. Hence, the aim of our study was to follow the seropositive ratio against these three viruses in horses in Saxony, Saxony Anhalt, and Brandenburg and to describe their geographic distribution for the year 2021. In early 2022, i.e., before the virus transmission season, sera from 1232 unvaccinated horses were tested using a competitive pan-flavivirus ELISA (cELISA). In order to estimate the true seropositive ratio of infection with WNV, TBEV, and USUV for 2021, positive and equivocal results were confirmed by a virus neutralization test (VNT). In addition, possible risk factors for seropositivity using questionnaires were analyzed using logistic regression based on questionnaires similar to our previous study from 2020. In total, 125 horse sera reacted positive in the cELISA. Based on the VNT, 40 sera showed neutralizing antibodies against WNV, 69 against TBEV, and 5 against USUV. Three sera showed antibodies against more than one virus, and eight were negative based on the VNT. The overall seropositive ratio was 3.3% (95% CI: 2.38-4.40) for WNV, 5.6% (95% CI: 4.44-7.04) for TBEV, and 0.4% (95% CI: 0.14-0.98) for USUV infections. While age and number of horses on the holding were factors predicting TBEV seropositivity, no risk factors were discovered for WNV seropositivity. We conclude that horses are useful sentinels to determine the flavivirus circulation in eastern-central Germany, as long as they are not vaccinated against WNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard M R Gothe
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ganzenberg
- Department for Horses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anna Obiegala
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katharina L Lohmann
- Department for Horses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Sieg
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas W Vahlenkamp
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Uwe Hörügel
- Animal Diseases Fund Saxony, Horse Health Service, 01099 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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7
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García-Bocanegra I, Franco JJ, León CI, Barbero-Moyano J, García-Miña MV, Fernández-Molera V, Gómez MB, Cano-Terriza D, Gonzálvez M. High exposure of West Nile virus in equid and wild bird populations in Spain following the epidemic outbreak in 2020. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3624-3636. [PMID: 36222172 PMCID: PMC10092718 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the circulation and risk factors associated with West Nile virus (WNV) exposure in equine and wild bird populations following the largest epidemic outbreak ever reported in Spain. A total of 305 equids and 171 wild birds were sampled between November 2020 and June 2021. IgG antibodies against flaviviruses were detected by blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA) in 44.9% (109/243) and 87.1% (54/62) of unvaccinated and vaccinated equids, respectively. The individual seroprevalence in unvaccinated individuals (calculated on animals seropositive by both bELISA and virus microneutralization test [VNT]) was 38.3% (95%CI: 33.1-43.4). No IgM antibodies were detected in animals tested (0/243; 0.0%; 95%CI: 0.0-1.5) by capture-ELISA. The main risk factors associated with WNV exposure in equids were age (adult and geriatric), breed (crossbred) and the absence of a disinsection programme on the facilities. In wild birds, IgG antibodies against flaviviruses were found in 32.7% (56/171; 95%CI: 26.8-38.6) using bELISA, giving an individual WNV seroprevalence of 19.3% (95%CI: 14.3-24.3) after VNT. Seropositivity was found in 37.8% of the 37 species analysed. Species group (raptors), age (>1-year old) and size (large) were the main risk factors related to WNV seropositivity in wild birds. Our results indicate high exposure and widespread distribution of WNV in equid and wild bird populations in Spain after the epidemic outbreak in 2020. The present study highlights the need to continue and improve active surveillance programmes for the detection of WNV in Spain, particularly in those areas at greatest risk of virus circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan J Franco
- Immunology and Applied Genetics, S.A. (Eurofins-Ingenasa), Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara I León
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía (AMAYA), Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jesús Barbero-Moyano
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - María V García-Miña
- Consejería de Agricultura, Pesca, Agua y Desarrollo Rural, Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - María B Gómez
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Algete, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.,Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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8
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Spread of West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in the German Bird Population, 2019–2020. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10040807. [PMID: 35456857 PMCID: PMC9030481 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10040807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are important flaviviruses circulating in Germany. While USUV was first reported more than 10 years ago, WNV has only reached the country in 2018. Wild birds are important amplifying hosts for both viruses. Therefore, we have been monitoring the bird population in different regions of Germany by a previously established network for many years. This report summarizes the results of molecular and/or serological methods of 2345 blood samples from birds of 22 different orders and over 2900 bird carcasses from 2019 and 2020. USUV RNA circulation was found in different regions of Germany, with emphasis on USUV lineages Europe 3 and Africa 3. Increased evidence of USUV lineage Europe 2 was detected in eastern Germany. WNV RNA was found only in birds from the eastern part of the country. The seroprevalence for USUV was between 3.11% and 7.20% in all three regions investigated, whereas the WNV seroprevalence spanned from 14.77% to 16.15% in eastern Germany, with a noticeable tendency for a westward and southward expansion in both years. Thus, wild bird monitoring for WNV and USUV can serve as an early warning system for a human exposure risk.
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9
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Aguilera-Sepúlveda P, Napp S, Llorente F, Solano-Manrique C, Molina-López R, Obón E, Solé A, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Fernández-Pinero J, Busquets N. West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Spreads Westwards in Europe and Overwinters in North-Eastern Spain (2017–2020). Viruses 2022; 14:v14030569. [PMID: 35336976 PMCID: PMC8951896 DOI: 10.3390/v14030569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus lineage 2 (WNV-L2) emerged in Europe in 2004; since then, it has spread across the continent, causing outbreaks in humans and animals. During 2017 and 2020, WNV-L2 was detected and isolated from four northern goshawks in two provinces of Catalonia (north-eastern Spain). In order to characterise the first Spanish WNV-L2 isolates and elucidate the potential overwintering of the virus in this Mediterranean region, complete genome sequencing, phylogenetic analyses, and a study of phenotypic characterisation were performed. Our results showed that these Spanish isolates belonged to the central-southern WNV-L2 clade. In more detail, they were related to the Lombardy cluster that emerged in Italy in 2013 and has been able to spread westwards, causing outbreaks in France (2018) and Spain (2017 and 2020). Phenotypic characterisation performed in vitro showed that these isolates presented characteristics corresponding to strains of moderate to high virulence. All these findings evidence that these WNV-L2 strains have been able to circulate and overwinter in the region, and are pathogenic, at least in northern goshawks, which seem to be very susceptible to WNV infection and may be good indicators of WNV-L2 circulation. Due to the increasing number of human and animal cases in Europe in the last years, this zoonotic flavivirus should be kept under extensive surveillance, following a One-Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Aguilera-Sepúlveda
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (P.A.-S.); (F.L.); (M.Á.J.-C.)
| | - Sebastián Napp
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Llorente
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (P.A.-S.); (F.L.); (M.Á.J.-C.)
| | - Carlos Solano-Manrique
- Centre de Fauna de Vallcalent, Àrea de Gestió Ambiental Servei de Fauna i Flora, Forestal Catalana, 25199 Lleida, Spain;
| | - Rafael Molina-López
- Centre de Fauna de Torreferrussa, Àrea de Gestió Ambiental Servei de Fauna i Flora, Forestal Catalana, 08130 Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Spain; (R.M.-L.); (E.O.)
| | - Elena Obón
- Centre de Fauna de Torreferrussa, Àrea de Gestió Ambiental Servei de Fauna i Flora, Forestal Catalana, 08130 Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Spain; (R.M.-L.); (E.O.)
| | - Alba Solé
- Departament d’Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural, 08007 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (P.A.-S.); (F.L.); (M.Á.J.-C.)
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jovita Fernández-Pinero
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (P.A.-S.); (F.L.); (M.Á.J.-C.)
- Correspondence: (J.F.-P.); (N.B.)
| | - Núria Busquets
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.F.-P.); (N.B.)
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10
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Napp S, Llorente F, Beck C, Jose-Cunilleras E, Soler M, Pailler-García L, Amaral R, Aguilera-Sepúlveda P, Pifarré M, Molina-López R, Obón E, Nicolás O, Lecollinet S, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Busquets N. Widespread Circulation of Flaviviruses in Horses and Birds in Northeastern Spain (Catalonia) between 2010 and 2019. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122404. [PMID: 34960673 PMCID: PMC8708358 DOI: 10.3390/v13122404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The surveillance for West Nile virus (WNV) in Catalonia (northeastern Spain) has consistently detected flaviviruses not identified as WNV. With the aim of characterizing the flaviviruses circulating in Catalonia, serum samples from birds and horses collected between 2010 and 2019 and positive by panflavivirus competition ELISA (cELISA) were analyzed by microneutralization test (MNT) against different flaviviruses. A third of the samples tested were inconclusive by MNT, highlighting the limitations of current diagnostic techniques. Our results evidenced the widespread circulation of flaviviruses, in particular WNV, but also Usutu virus (USUV), and suggest that chicken and horses could serve as sentinels for both viruses. In several regions, WNV and USUV overlapped, but no significant geographical aggregation was observed. Bagaza virus (BAGV) was not detected in birds, while positivity to tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was sporadically detected in horses although no endemic foci were observed. So far, no human infections by WNV, USUV, or TBEV have been reported in Catalonia. However, these zoonotic flaviviruses need to be kept under surveillance, ideally within a One Health framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Napp
- IRTA, Animal Health Research Centre (CReSA IRTA-UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;
- Correspondence: (S.N.); (N.B.)
| | - Francisco Llorente
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (F.L.); (P.A.-S.); (M.Á.J.-C.)
| | - Cécile Beck
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.B.); (R.A.); (S.L.)
| | - Eduard Jose-Cunilleras
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;
- Servei Medicina Interna Equina, Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mercè Soler
- Servei de Prevenció en Salut Animal, Departament d’Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural (DACC), 08007 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Lola Pailler-García
- IRTA, Animal Health Research Centre (CReSA IRTA-UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;
| | - Rayane Amaral
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.B.); (R.A.); (S.L.)
| | - Pilar Aguilera-Sepúlveda
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (F.L.); (P.A.-S.); (M.Á.J.-C.)
| | - Maria Pifarré
- Centre de Fauna dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Àrea de Gestió Ambiental Servei de Fauna i Flora, Forestal Catalana, 17486 Castelló d’Empúries, Spain;
| | - Rafael Molina-López
- Centre de Fauna de Torreferrussa, Àrea de Gestió Ambiental Servei de Fauna i Flora, Forestal Catalana, 08130 Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Spain; (R.M.-L.); (E.O.)
| | - Elena Obón
- Centre de Fauna de Torreferrussa, Àrea de Gestió Ambiental Servei de Fauna i Flora, Forestal Catalana, 08130 Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Spain; (R.M.-L.); (E.O.)
| | - Olga Nicolás
- Centre de Fauna de Vallcalent, Àrea de Gestió Ambiental Servei de Fauna i Flora, Forestal Catalana, 25199 Lleida, Spain;
- Parc Natural de l’Alt Pirineu, Àrea de Gestió Ambiental Servei de Fauna i Flora, Forestal Catalana, 25595 Llavorsí, Spain
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.B.); (R.A.); (S.L.)
| | - Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain; (F.L.); (P.A.-S.); (M.Á.J.-C.)
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Núria Busquets
- IRTA, Animal Health Research Centre (CReSA IRTA-UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;
- Correspondence: (S.N.); (N.B.)
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11
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Aguilera-Sepúlveda P, Gómez-Martín B, Agüero M, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Fernández-Pinero J. A new cluster of West Nile virus lineage 1 isolated from a northern goshawk in Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:3121-3127. [PMID: 34812592 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV; family Flaviviridae, genus flavivirus) is a zoonotic arbovirus worldwide spread. Its genetic diversity has allowed the definition of at least seven lineages, being lineages 1 and 2 the most widely distributed. Western Mediterranean region has been affected by WNV since decades. In Spain, WNV is actively circulating, provoking annual outbreaks in birds, horses and lately in humans. Lineage 1 is responsible for outbreaks that occurred in central and southern regions, while lineage 2 has been recently described in wild birds in north-eastern part of the country. During 2017 season, a disease outbreak in captive raptors was reported in southern Spain and WNV was isolated from a dead northern goshawk. Full genome sequencing was followed by phylogenetic analyses and analyses of the amino acidic substitutions. This strain, named Spain/2017/NG-b, highly differs from those which have been circulating both in Spain and in the neighbouring Mediterranean countries, constituting a new distinct group, tentatively classified in a newly defined cluster 7 within the WNV clade 1a, supporting a new, independent introduction of the virus in the Western Mediterranean region from an unknown origin. Besides, circumstantial evidence indicates that this emerging WNV strain could be behind the subsequent outbreak occurred nearby in horses. Overall, the reinforcement of surveillance programs, especially in wild birds, is essential to early detect the circulation of WNV and other related flaviviruses that could cause outbreaks in wild or domestic birds, equine and human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Aguilera-Sepúlveda
- Departamento de enfermedades infecciosas y salud global, Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero
- Departamento de enfermedades infecciosas y salud global, Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jovita Fernández-Pinero
- Departamento de enfermedades infecciosas y salud global, Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Srihi H, Chatti N, Ben Mhadheb M, Gharbi J, Abid N. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis of the complete genome of the West Nile virus lineage 2 (WNV-2) in the Mediterranean basin. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:183. [PMID: 34579648 PMCID: PMC8477494 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01902-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The West Nile virus is a highly contagious agent for a wide range of hosts. Its spread in the Mediterranean region raises several questions about its origin and the risk factors underlying the virus’s dispersal. Materials and methods The present study aims to reconstruct the temporal and spatial phylodynamics of West Nile virus lineage 2 in the Mediterranean region using 75 complete genome sequences from different host species retrieved from international databases. Results This data set suggests that current strains of WNV-2 began spreading in South Africa or nearby regions in the early twentieth century, and it migrated northwards via at least one route crossing the Mediterranean to reach Hungary in the early 2000s, before spreading throughout Europe. Another introduction event, according to the data set collected and analyses performed, is inferred to have occurred in around 1978. Migratory birds constitute, among others, additional risk factors that enhance the geographical transmission of the infection.
Conclusion Our data underline the importance of the spatial–temporal tracking of migratory birds and phylodynamic reconstruction in setting up an efficient surveillance system for emerging and reemerging zoonoses in the Mediterranean region. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-021-01902-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haythem Srihi
- Research Unit UR17ES30 "Genomics, Biotechnology and Antiviral Strategies", Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Tahar Hadded Avenue, PB 74, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Noureddine Chatti
- Research Unit UR17ES30 "Genomics, Biotechnology and Antiviral Strategies", Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Tahar Hadded Avenue, PB 74, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Manel Ben Mhadheb
- Research Unit UR17ES30 "Genomics, Biotechnology and Antiviral Strategies", Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Tahar Hadded Avenue, PB 74, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Jawhar Gharbi
- Research Unit UR17ES30 "Genomics, Biotechnology and Antiviral Strategies", Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Tahar Hadded Avenue, PB 74, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia.,Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, PB 400, Post Code 31982, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabil Abid
- Laboratory of Transmissible Diseases and Biological Active Substances LR99ES27, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Ibn Sina Street, 5000, Monastir, Tunisia. .,High Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, Department of Biotechnology, University of Manouba, BiotechPôlet Sidi Thabet, PB 66, 2020, Ariana-Tunis, Tunisia.
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13
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Ferraguti M, Martínez-de la Puente J, Figuerola J. Ecological Effects on the Dynamics of West Nile Virus and Avian Plasmodium: The Importance of Mosquito Communities and Landscape. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071208. [PMID: 34201673 PMCID: PMC8310121 DOI: 10.3390/v13071208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans and wildlife are at risk from certain vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and West Nile and yellow fevers. Factors linked to global change, including habitat alteration, land-use intensification, the spread of alien species, and climate change, are operating on a global scale and affect both the incidence and distribution of many vector-borne diseases. Hence, understanding the drivers that regulate the transmission of pathogens in the wild is of great importance for ecological, evolutionary, health, and economic reasons. In this literature review, we discuss the ecological factors potentially affecting the transmission of two mosquito-borne pathogens circulating naturally between birds and mosquitoes, namely, West Nile virus (WNV) and the avian malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Traditionally, the study of pathogen transmission has focused only on vectors or hosts and the interactions between them, while the role of landscape has largely been ignored. However, from an ecological point of view, it is essential not only to study the interaction between each of these organisms but also to understand the environmental scenarios in which these processes take place. We describe here some of the similarities and differences in the transmission of these two pathogens and how research into both systems may facilitate a greater understanding of the dynamics of vector-borne pathogens in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Ferraguti
- Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology (TCE), Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (M.F.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
| | - Josué Martínez-de la Puente
- Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
- Correspondence: (M.F.); (J.M.-d.l.P.)
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), E-41092 Seville, Spain;
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
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14
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Pathogenesis of Two Western Mediterranean West Nile Virus Lineage 1 Isolates in Experimentally Infected Red-Legged Partridges ( Alectoris rufa). Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060748. [PMID: 34199167 PMCID: PMC8231501 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most widespread flavivirus in the world with a wide vertebrate host range. Its geographic expansion and activity continue to increase with important human and equine outbreaks and local bird mortality. In a previous experiment, we demonstrated the susceptibility of 7-week-old red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) to Mediterranean WNV isolates Morocco/2003 and Spain/2007, which varied in virulence for this gallinaceous species. Here we study the pathogenesis of the infection with these two strains to explain the different course of infection and mortality. Day six post-inoculation was critical in the course of infection, with the highest viral load in tissues, the most widespread virus antigen, and more severe lesions. The most affected organs were the heart, liver, and spleen. Comparing infections with Morocco/2003 and Spain/2007, differences were observed in the viral load, virus antigen distribution, and lesion nature and severity. A more acute and marked inflammatory reaction (characterized by participation of microglia and CD3+ T cells) as well as neuronal necrosis in the brain were observed in partridges infected with Morocco/2003 as compared to those infected with Spain/2007. This suggests a higher neurovirulence of Morocco/2003, probably related to one or more specific molecular determinants of virulence different from Spain/2007.
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15
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García San Miguel Rodríguez-Alarcón L, Fernández-Martínez B, Sierra Moros MJ, Vázquez A, Julián Pachés P, García Villacieros E, Gómez Martín MB, Figuerola Borras J, Lorusso N, Ramos Aceitero JM, Moro E, de Celis A, Oyonarte S, Mahillo B, Romero González LJ, Sánchez-Seco MP, Suárez Rodríguez B, Ameyugo Catalán U, Ruiz Contreras S, Pérez-Olmeda M, Simón Soria F. Unprecedented increase of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease, Spain, summer 2020. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 26. [PMID: 33988123 PMCID: PMC8120797 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.19.2002010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) in Spain increased in summer 2020. Here we report on this increase and the local, regional and national public health measures taken in response. We analysed data from regional surveillance networks and the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network, both for human and animal West Nile virus (WNV) infection. During the 2020 season, a total of 77 human cases of WNV infection (median age 65 years; 60% males) were detected in the south-west of Spain; 72 (94%) of these cases developed WNND, presenting as meningoencephalitis, seven of which were fatal. In the previous two decades, only six human cases of WNND were detected in Spain. Reduced activities for vector control this season, together with other factors, might have contributed to the massive increase. Public health measures including vector control, campaigns to raise awareness among physicians and the general population, and interventions to ensure the safety of donations of blood products, organs, cells and tissues were effective to reduce transmission. Going forward, maintenance of vector control activities and an update of the vector-borne diseases response plan in Spain is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beatriz Fernández-Martínez
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, Madrid, Spain.,National Center for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministry of Science and Innovation, , Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ana Vázquez
- National Microbiology Center, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministry of Science and Innovation.,CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Elena García Villacieros
- Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Dirección General de Sanidad de la Producción Agraria, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Belén Gómez Martín
- Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Dirección General de Sanidad de la Producción Agraria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola Borras
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Estación biológica de Doñana, Seville, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicola Lorusso
- Junta de Andalucía, Servicio de Vigilancia y Salud laboral Seville, Spain
| | | | - Elena Moro
- Ministry of Health, Scientific Committee on Transfusion Safety, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aránzazu de Celis
- Ministry of Health, Scientific Committee on Transfusion Safety, Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Oyonarte
- Ministry of Health, Scientific Committee on Transfusion Safety, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Luis José Romero González
- Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Dirección General de Sanidad de la Producción Agraria, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Paz Sánchez-Seco
- National Microbiology Center, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministry of Science and Innovation
| | | | - Ulises Ameyugo Catalán
- Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Salud y Familias. Dirección General de Salud Pública y Ordenación Farmacéutica. Subdirección de Protección de la Salud, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Mayte Pérez-Olmeda
- National Microbiology Center, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministry of Science and Innovation
| | - Fernando Simón Soria
- Ministry of Health, Coordinating Center of Health Alerts and Emergencies, Madrid, Spain
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16
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Automatic and sensitive detection of West Nile virus non-structural protein 1 with a portable SERS-LFIA detector. Mikrochim Acta 2021; 188:206. [PMID: 34046739 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-021-04857-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A portable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) detector has been developed for the automatic and highly sensitive detection of West Nile virus (WNV) non-structural protein 1 (NS1) and actual WNV samples. Au@Ag nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs) labeled with double-layer Raman molecules were used as SERS tags to prepare WNV-specific SERS-LFIA strips. On this platform, the WNV-specific antigen NS1 protein was quantitatively and sensitively detected. The detection limit for the WNV NS1 protein was 0.1 ng/mL, which was 100-fold more sensitive than visual signals. The detection limit for inactivated WNV virions was 0.2 × 102 copies/μL. The sensitivity of the SERS-LFIA detector was comparable to that of the fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. The prepared SERS-LFIA strips exhibited high sensitivity and good specificity for WNV. Thus, the strips developed herein have clinical application value. Moreover, the portable SERS-LFIA detector enabled automatic and rapid detection of the SERS-LFIA strips. The platform established herein is expected to make a substantial contribution to the diagnosis and control of outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, including WNV.
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17
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Casimiro-Soriguer CS, Perez-Florido J, Fernandez-Rueda JL, Pedrosa-Corral I, Guillot-Sulay V, Lorusso N, Martinez-Gonzalez LJ, Navarro-Marí JM, Dopazo J, Sanbonmatsu-Gámez S. Phylogenetic Analysis of the 2020 West Nile Virus (WNV) Outbreak in Andalusia (Spain). Viruses 2021; 13:836. [PMID: 34063166 PMCID: PMC8148183 DOI: 10.3390/v13050836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During recent decades West Nile Virus (WNV) outbreaks have continuously occurred in the Mediterranean area. In August 2020 a new WNV outbreak affected 71 people with meningoencephalitis in Andalusia and six more cases were detected in Extremadura (south-west of Spain), causing a total of eight deaths. The whole genomes of four viruses were obtained and phylogenetically analyzed in the context of recent outbreaks. The Andalusian viral samples belonged to lineage 1 and were relatively similar to those of previous outbreaks which occurred in the Mediterranean region. Here we present a detailed analysis of the outbreak, including an extensive phylogenetic study. As part on this effort, we implemented a local Nextstrain server, which has become a constituent piece of regional epidemiological surveillance, wherein forthcoming genomes of environmental samples or, eventually, future outbreaks, will be included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos S. Casimiro-Soriguer
- Clinical Bioinformatics Area, Fundación Progreso y Salud (FPS), Hospital Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (C.S.C.-S.); (J.P.-F.); (J.L.F.-R.)
- Computational Systems Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), Hospital Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Perez-Florido
- Clinical Bioinformatics Area, Fundación Progreso y Salud (FPS), Hospital Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (C.S.C.-S.); (J.P.-F.); (J.L.F.-R.)
- Computational Systems Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), Hospital Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jose L. Fernandez-Rueda
- Clinical Bioinformatics Area, Fundación Progreso y Salud (FPS), Hospital Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (C.S.C.-S.); (J.P.-F.); (J.L.F.-R.)
| | - Irene Pedrosa-Corral
- Laboratorio de Referencia de Virus de Andalucía, Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (I.P.-C.); (V.G.-S.); (J.M.N.-M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Vicente Guillot-Sulay
- Laboratorio de Referencia de Virus de Andalucía, Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (I.P.-C.); (V.G.-S.); (J.M.N.-M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Nicola Lorusso
- Dirección General de Salud Pública y Ordenación Farmacéutica, Consejería de Salud y Familias, Junta de Andalucía, 41020, Sevilla, Spain;
| | - Luis Javier Martinez-Gonzalez
- GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer—University of Granada—Andalusian Regional Government, 18016 Granada, Spain;
| | - Jose M. Navarro-Marí
- Laboratorio de Referencia de Virus de Andalucía, Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (I.P.-C.); (V.G.-S.); (J.M.N.-M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Joaquin Dopazo
- Clinical Bioinformatics Area, Fundación Progreso y Salud (FPS), Hospital Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (C.S.C.-S.); (J.P.-F.); (J.L.F.-R.)
- Computational Systems Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), Hospital Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
- Bioinformatics in Rare Diseases (BiER), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), FPS, Hospital Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
- ELIXIR.ES/FPS, Hospital Virgen del Rocio, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sara Sanbonmatsu-Gámez
- Laboratorio de Referencia de Virus de Andalucía, Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain; (I.P.-C.); (V.G.-S.); (J.M.N.-M.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.GRANADA, 18012 Granada, Spain
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Delgado-Serra S, Viader M, Ruiz-Arrondo I, Miranda MÁ, Barceló C, Bueno-Marí R, Hernández-Triana LM, Miquel M, Lester K, Jurado-Rivera JA, Paredes-Esquivel C. Molecular Characterization of Mosquito Diversity in the Balearic Islands. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 58:608-615. [PMID: 33098292 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Several outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases have taken place in Europe in recent years. In Spain, both active and passive surveillance have demonstrated that dengue and West Nile viruses are currently circulating, and seven autochthonous dengue cases have been reported in the last 2 yr. The effectiveness of vector control programs largely depends on the accuracy of the taxonomic identification of the species. However, in Spain, identification almost completely relies on the use of morphological keys to characterize the mosquito fauna. This study investigates the congruence between molecular and morphological species boundaries in 13 Spanish mosquito taxa. The Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene region was sequenced from 60 adult specimens collected in Mallorca, plus several representatives from other Spanish regions for comparative purposes. Phylogenetic relationships were established using Bayesian and maximum-likelihood approaches. Using three species delimitation algorithms (ABGD, mPTP, and GMYC), we found strong evidence for cryptic speciation within Anopheles algeriensis Theobald, a widespread mosquito in the Mediterranean basin. We also delimited the Mallorcan rock pool mosquito Aedes mariae (Sergent & Sergent), from mainland European populations. Finally, we found difficulties in the use of wing characters in species keys to distinguish Culiseta annulata (Schrk) from Culiseta subochrea (Edwards). Given that these species are vectors of pathogens of medical relevance and have veterinary importance, their accurate taxonomic identification is essential in European vector surveillance programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Delgado-Serra
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Laboratory of Zoology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Miriam Viader
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Laboratory of Zoology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo
- Center for Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, CIBIR, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Laboratory of Zoology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Carlos Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Laboratory of Zoology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Rubén Bueno-Marí
- Research and Development (R+D) Department, Laboratorios Lokímica, Valencia, Spain
| | - Luis M Hernández-Triana
- Rabies and Viral Zoonoses Research Group (VI1), Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - Marga Miquel
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Laboratory of Zoology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Katherine Lester
- Diagnostics, Wildlife and Molecular Biology, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Claudia Paredes-Esquivel
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Research Group, Laboratory of Zoology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
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19
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Bravo-Barriga D, Aguilera-Sepúlveda P, Guerrero-Carvajal F, Llorente F, Reina D, Pérez-Martín JE, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Frontera E. West Nile and Usutu virus infections in wild birds admitted to rehabilitation centres in Extremadura, western Spain, 2017-2019. Vet Microbiol 2021; 255:109020. [PMID: 33677369 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging flavivirus transmitted generally by mosquitoes of Culex genus. It is maintained in an enzootic life cycle where birds act as reservoir hosts. Humans and horses are also susceptible to infection, and occasionally, they suffer from neurological complications. However, they do not transmit the virus to other vectors, behaving as dead-end hosts. Sporadic WNV outbreaks observed in horses and wild birds from Extremadura (western Spain) during 2016 and 2017 seasons prompted to carry out this survey in wild birds, focused on specimens coming from two wildlife rehabilitation centres. Between October 2017 and December 2019, samples from 391 wild birds, belonging to 56 different species were collected and analysed in search of evidence of WNV infection. The analysis of serum samples for WNV-specific antibodies by ELISA, whose specificity was subsequently confirmed by virus-neutralisation test (VNT) showed positive results in 18.23 % birds belonging to 18 different species. Pelecaniformes (33.33 %), Accipitriformes (25.77 %) and Strigiformes (22.92 %) orders had the higher seroprevalences. Remarkably, WNV-specific antibodies were found in a black stork for the first time in Europe. Analysis by real time RT-PCR in symptomatic birds confirmed the presence of WNV lineage 1 RNA in griffon vulture and little owls. Specificity analysis of ELISA positive and doubtful sera was performed by differential VNT titration against WNV and two other cross-reacting avian flaviviruses found in Spain: Usutu virus (USUV) and Bagaza virus (BAGV). Only four samples showed USUV-specific antibodies (1.04 %) corresponding to three species: Eurasian eagle-owl, griffon vulture and great bustard (first detection in Europe) whereas no samples were found reactive to BAGV. Differential VNT yielded undetermined flavivirus result in 16 samples (4.17 %). This is the first study carried out on wild birds from Extremadura (western Spain). It highlights the widespread circulation of WNV in the region and its co-circulation with USUV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bravo-Barriga
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura (UEx), Cáceres, Spain.
| | - Pilar Aguilera-Sepúlveda
- Animal Health Research Centre, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Francisco Llorente
- Animal Health Research Centre, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain.
| | - David Reina
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura (UEx), Cáceres, Spain.
| | - J Enrique Pérez-Martín
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura (UEx), Cáceres, Spain.
| | - Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero
- Animal Health Research Centre, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Eva Frontera
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura (UEx), Cáceres, Spain.
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20
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Fiacre L, Pagès N, Albina E, Richardson J, Lecollinet S, Gonzalez G. Molecular Determinants of West Nile Virus Virulence and Pathogenesis in Vertebrate and Invertebrate Hosts. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239117. [PMID: 33266206 PMCID: PMC7731113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV), like the dengue virus (DENV) and yellow fever virus (YFV), are major arboviruses belonging to the Flavivirus genus. WNV is emerging or endemic in many countries around the world, affecting humans and other vertebrates. Since 1999, it has been considered to be a major public and veterinary health problem, causing diverse pathologies, ranging from a mild febrile state to severe neurological damage and death. WNV is transmitted in a bird–mosquito–bird cycle, and can occasionally infect humans and horses, both highly susceptible to the virus but considered dead-end hosts. Many studies have investigated the molecular determinants of WNV virulence, mainly with the ultimate objective of guiding vaccine development. Several vaccines are used in horses in different parts of the world, but there are no licensed WNV vaccines for humans, suggesting the need for greater understanding of the molecular determinants of virulence and antigenicity in different hosts. Owing to technical and economic considerations, WNV virulence factors have essentially been studied in rodent models, and the results cannot always be transported to mosquito vectors or to avian hosts. In this review, the known molecular determinants of WNV virulence, according to invertebrate (mosquitoes) or vertebrate hosts (mammalian and avian), are presented and discussed. This overview will highlight the differences and similarities found between WNV hosts and models, to provide a foundation for the prediction and anticipation of WNV re-emergence and its risk of global spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Fiacre
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97170 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, France; (N.P.); (E.A.)
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Nonito Pagès
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97170 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, France; (N.P.); (E.A.)
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Emmanuel Albina
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-97170 Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, France; (N.P.); (E.A.)
- ASTRE, University Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Jennifer Richardson
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-1-43967376
| | - Gaëlle Gonzalez
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.F.); (J.R.); (G.G.)
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21
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Contrasted Epidemiological Patterns of West Nile Virus Lineages 1 and 2 Infections in France from 2015 to 2019. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9110908. [PMID: 33143300 PMCID: PMC7692118 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 2015, annual West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks of varying intensities have been reported in France. Recent intensification of enzootic WNV circulation was observed in the South of France with most horse cases detected in 2015 (n = 49), 2018 (n = 13), and 2019 (n = 13). A WNV lineage 1 strain was isolated from a horse suffering from West Nile neuro-invasive disease (WNND) during the 2015 episode in the Camargue area. A breaking point in WNV epidemiology was achieved in 2018, when WNV lineage 2 emerged in Southeastern areas. This virus most probably originated from WNV spread from Northern Italy and caused WNND in humans and the death of diurnal raptors. WNV lineage 2 emergence was associated with the most important human WNV epidemics identified so far in France (n = 26, including seven WNND cases and two infections in blood and organ donors). Two other major findings were the detection of WNV in areas with no or limited history of WNV circulation (Alpes-Maritimes in 2018, Corsica in 2018–2019, and Var in 2019) and distinct spatial distribution of human and horse WNV cases. These new data reinforce the necessity to enhance French WNV surveillance to better anticipate future WNV epidemics and epizootics and to improve the safety of blood and organ donations.
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22
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Metz MBC, Olufemi OT, Daly JM, Barba M. Systematic review and meta-analysis of seroprevalence studies of West Nile virus in equids in Europe between 2001 and 2018. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:1814-1823. [PMID: 33012076 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
There is some evidence that West Nile virus (WNV), which causes encephalomyelitis in equids, is an emerging disease in Europe. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyse seroprevalence studies of WNV in equids in European countries between 2001 and 2018. Two electronic databases, PubMed and Scopus, were searched for relevant publications published from 2001 to 2018 using predetermined keywords. A total of 1,484 papers were initially found. After applying the eligibility criteria, 39 papers were finally included in the systematic review. Analysis of 28,089 equids from 16 European countries revealed a pooled seroprevalence of 8% (95% CI 5%-12%, p < .001, I2 = 99.3%) in Europe. The pooled seroprevalence was slightly higher in Mediterranean basin countries than other countries and when calculated for samples collected between 2001 and 2009 compared to 2010 to 2018. Differences in study design (e.g. sampling associated with recent outbreaks of WNV) contributed to a high degree of variability among studies. Further studies with harmonized study design and reporting of the results are recommended to better estimate and monitor European seroprevalence of WNV in equids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine B C Metz
- Agentes Microbiológicos asociados a la Reproducción Animal (ProVaginBio), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Olaolu T Olufemi
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Janet M Daly
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Marta Barba
- Agentes Microbiológicos asociados a la Reproducción Animal (ProVaginBio), Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
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23
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Vidaña B, Busquets N, Napp S, Pérez-Ramírez E, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Johnson N. The Role of Birds of Prey in West Nile Virus Epidemiology. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030550. [PMID: 32967268 PMCID: PMC7564710 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Reported human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in Europe increased dramatically in 2018. Lineage 1 strains had been circulating in Euro-Mediterranean countries since the early 1990s. The subsequent introduction of WNV lineage 2 has been responsible for the remarkable upsurge of European WNV outbreaks since 2004, including the dramatic increase in human cases observed since 2018. The virus exists in a natural cycle between mosquitoes and wild birds, with humans and horses acting as dead-end hosts. As the key vertebrate hosts in the transmission cycle of WNV, avian species have been the focus of surveillance across many countries. Raptors appear particularly susceptible to WNV infection, resulting in higher prevalence, and in some cases exhibiting neurological signs that lead to the death of the animal. In addition, birds of prey are known to play an important role as WNV reservoir and potentially amplifying hosts of infection. Importantly, raptor higher susceptibility/prevalence may indicate infection through predation of infected prey. Consequently, they are considered important target species when designing cost-effective surveillance for monitoring both seasonal WNV circulation in endemic countries and its emergence into new areas, where migrating raptors may play a critical role in virus introduction. This review summarizes the different aspects of the current knowledge of WNV infection in birds of prey and evaluates their role in the evolution of the epizootic that is spreading throughout Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Vidaña
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Núria Busquets
- IRTA, Animal Health Research Centre (CReSA IRTA-UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (N.B.); (S.N.)
| | - Sebastian Napp
- IRTA, Animal Health Research Centre (CReSA IRTA-UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (N.B.); (S.N.)
| | - Elisa Pérez-Ramírez
- Animal Health Research Centre INIA-CISA C, 28130 Madrid, Spain; (E.P.-R.); (M.Á.J.-C.)
| | | | - Nicholas Johnson
- Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone KT15 3NB, UK;
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24
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Guerrero-Carvajal F, Bravo-Barriga D, Martín-Cuervo M, Aguilera-Sepúlveda P, Ferraguti M, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Llorente F, Alonso JM, Frontera E. Serological evidence of co-circulation of West Nile and Usutu viruses in equids from western Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:1432-1444. [PMID: 32853452 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne emerging virus in Europe with capacity to cause neurological complications such as encephalitis or meningoencephalitis in humans, birds or equids. In Spain, WNV is actively circulating in mosquitoes, birds and horses in different regions, but never has been deeply studied in Extremadura. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of WNV in equids of those areas and to analyse the risk factors associated with exposure to the virus. A total of 199 out of 725 equids presented antibodies against WNV by competition ELISA (27.45%), while 22 were doubtful (3.03%). Anti-WNV IgM antibodies were detected in 16 equids (2.21%), and 3 animals were doubtful (0.41%). All ELISA-reactive positive/doubtful sera (N = 226) were further tested by micro-virus neutralization test (VNT), and a total of 143 horses were confirmed as positive for WNV, obtaining a seroprevalence of 19.72% in equids of western Spain. In addition, specific antibodies against USUV were confirmed in 11 equids. In 24 equids, a specific flavivirus species (detected by ELISA test) could not be determined. The generalized linear mixed-effects models showed that the significant risk factors associated with individual WNV infection in equids were the age (adults) and hair coat colour (light), whereas in USUV infections, it was the breed (pure). Data demonstrated that WNV and USUV are circulating in regions of western Spain. Given the high WNV seroprevalence found in equids from the studied areas, it is important to improve the surveillance programmes of public health to detect undiagnosed human cases and to establish a vaccination programme in equid herds in these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Bravo-Barriga
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura (UEx), Cáceres, Spain
| | - María Martín-Cuervo
- Animal Medicine Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura (UEx), Cáceres, Spain
| | - Pilar Aguilera-Sepúlveda
- Animal Health Research Centre, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martina Ferraguti
- Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology Department, Science Faculty, University of Extremadura (UEx), Badajoz, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero
- Animal Health Research Centre, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Llorente
- Animal Health Research Centre, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Alonso
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura (UEx), Cáceres, Spain
| | - Eva Frontera
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura (UEx), Cáceres, Spain
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25
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Gangoso L, Aragonés D, Martínez-de la Puente J, Lucientes J, Delacour-Estrella S, Estrada Peña R, Montalvo T, Bueno-Marí R, Bravo-Barriga D, Frontera E, Marqués E, Ruiz-Arrondo I, Muñoz A, Oteo JA, Miranda MA, Barceló C, Arias Vázquez MS, Silva-Torres MI, Ferraguti M, Magallanes S, Muriel J, Marzal A, Aranda C, Ruiz S, González MA, Morchón R, Gómez-Barroso D, Figuerola J. Determinants of the current and future distribution of the West Nile virus mosquito vector Culex pipiens in Spain. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 188:109837. [PMID: 32798954 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Changes in environmental conditions, whether related or not to human activities, are continuously modifying the geographic distribution of vectors, which in turn affects the dynamics and distribution of vector-borne infectious diseases. Determining the main ecological drivers of vector distribution and how predicted changes in these drivers may alter their future distributions is therefore of major importance. However, the drivers of vector populations are largely specific to each vector species and region. Here, we identify the most important human-activity-related and bioclimatic predictors affecting the current distribution and habitat suitability of the mosquito Culex pipiens and potential future changes in its distribution in Spain. We determined the niche of occurrence (NOO) of the species, which considers only those areas lying within the range of suitable environmental conditions using presence data. Although almost ubiquitous, the distribution of Cx. pipiens is mostly explained by elevation and the degree of urbanization but also, to a lesser extent, by mean temperatures during the wettest season and temperature seasonality. The combination of these predictors highlights the existence of a heterogeneous pattern of habitat suitability, with most suitable areas located in the southern and northeastern coastal areas of Spain, and unsuitable areas located at higher altitude and in colder regions. Future climatic predictions indicate a net decrease in distribution of up to 29.55%, probably due to warming and greater temperature oscillations. Despite these predicted changes in vector distribution, their effects on the incidence of infectious diseases are, however, difficult to forecast since different processes such as local adaptation to temperature, vector-pathogen interactions, and human-derived changes in landscape may play important roles in shaping the future dynamics of pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gangoso
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain.
| | - D Aragonés
- Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Laboratory (LAST-EBD), Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - J Martínez-de la Puente
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Lucientes
- Animal Health Department, The AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, C/ Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - S Delacour-Estrella
- Animal Health Department, The AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, C/ Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - R Estrada Peña
- Animal Health Department, The AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, C/ Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - T Montalvo
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Consorci Sanitari de Barcelona, Plaça Lesseps 8, 08023, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - R Bueno-Marí
- Departamento de Investigación y Desarrollo (I+D), Laboratorios Lokímica, Polígono Industrial El Bony, C/42, n°4, 46470, Catarroja, Valencia, Spain
| | - D Bravo-Barriga
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - E Frontera
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - E Marqués
- Service of Mosquito Control (Badia de Roses i del Baix Ter), Plaça del Bruel 1, Castelló d'Empúries, 17486, Empuriabrava, Girona, Spain
| | - I Ruiz-Arrondo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-CIBIR, C/ Piqueras 98, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - A Muñoz
- Quimera Biological Systems S.L., Pol. Malpica-Alfindén, C/ Olivo 14, Nave 6, 50171, La Puebla de Alfindén, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - J A Oteo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-CIBIR, C/ Piqueras 98, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - M A Miranda
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - C Barceló
- Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation group, Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Ctra. de Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - M S Arias Vázquez
- Zoonoses and Public Health. COPAR Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Av. Carvallo Calero, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - M I Silva-Torres
- Zoonoses and Public Health. COPAR Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Av. Carvallo Calero, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - M Ferraguti
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, Av. de Elvas s/n, 06006, Badajoz, Spain
| | - S Magallanes
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, Av. de Elvas s/n, 06006, Badajoz, Spain
| | - J Muriel
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, Av. de Elvas s/n, 06006, Badajoz, Spain; Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, IPE (CSIC), Av. Nuestra Señora de la Victoria 16, 22700, Jaca, Spain
| | - A Marzal
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, Av. de Elvas s/n, 06006, Badajoz, Spain
| | - C Aranda
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Servei de Control de Mosquits, Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat, N-340, 08980, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Ruiz
- Service of Mosquito Control de la Diputación Provincial de Huelva, Ctra. Hospital Infanta Elena s/n, 21007, Huelva, Spain
| | - M A González
- Department of Animal Health, NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Berreaga 1, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - R Morchón
- Group of Animal and Human dirofilariosis. University of Salamanca, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Miguel Unamuno, C/ Lic. Méndez Nieto, s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - D Gómez-Barroso
- Centro Nacional de Epidemiologia. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/ Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029, Madrid. Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Figuerola
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
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26
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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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27
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Amin M, Zaim M, Edalat H, Basseri HR, Yaghoobi-Ershadi MR, Rezaei F, Azizi K, Salehi-Vaziri M, Ghane M, Yousefi S, Dabaghmanesh S, Kheirandish S, Najafi ME, Mohammadi J. Seroprevalence Study on West Nile Virus (WNV) Infection, a Hidden Viral Disease in Fars Province, Southern Iran. J Arthropod Borne Dis 2020; 14:173-184. [PMID: 33365345 PMCID: PMC7738928 DOI: 10.18502/jad.v14i2.3735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: West Nile Virus, a mosquito-borne flavivirus, causes a variety of symptoms in human, from asymptomatic infection to neuroinvasive disease. Several studies have been conducted on the seroprevalence of WNV infection in different areas from Iran. This study was performed to find the presence of antiviral antibodies in human serum among some high risk population and awareness of health care staff about symptom of the WNV infection. Methods: Study performed in five geographical districts based on high population of immigrant and domestic birds and prevalence of the antiviral antibodies in horses which was reported previously. Totally 150 human blood samples were collected during 2018. The samples collected from patients referred to the clinics. The ELISA method used to detect IgG and IgM antibody against WNV. Logistic regression models used to analyze the effect of sex, age, keeping birds and urban/rural residence on the risk of infection. The awareness of health care staff about symptom of infection surveyed. Results: From all blood donors, 41 samples (27.33%) showed positive to IgG antibody. From which 56.10% were males and remaining females. None of the mentioned factors had a significant relationship. Health care staff had less attention to the infection. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of antibodies was relatively high, due to the similarity to other viral diseases, health care staff had less attention to the disease. The study showed that people in these areas have been exposed to the virus. Further research activities are recommended for control of this arbovirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Amin
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Morteza Zaim
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamideh Edalat
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Basseri
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Yaghoobi-Ershadi
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Rezaei
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kourosh Azizi
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mostafa Salehi-Vaziri
- Department of Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (National Ref Lab), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Ghane
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saideh Yousefi
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sorna Dabaghmanesh
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Kheirandish
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Mohammad Esmaeil Najafi
- Environmental Health Unit, Faculty of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Jalal Mohammadi
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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28
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Elizalde M, Cano-Gómez C, Llorente F, Pérez-Ramírez E, Casades-Martí L, Aguilera-Sepúlveda P, Ruiz-Fons F, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Fernández-Pinero J. A Duplex Quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR for Simultaneous Detection and Differentiation of Flaviviruses of the Japanese Encephalitis and Ntaya Serocomplexes in Birds. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:203. [PMID: 32373639 PMCID: PMC7186316 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
High impact, mosquito-borne flaviviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Tembusu virus (TMUV), and Bagaza/Israel turkey meningoencephalomyelitis virus (BAGV/ITV) are emerging in different areas of the world. These viruses belong to the Japanese encephalitis (JE) serocomplex (JEV, WNV, and USUV) and the Ntaya serocomplex (TMUV and BAGV/ITV). Notably, they share transmission route (mosquito bite) and reservoir host type (wild birds), and some of them co-circulate in the same areas, infecting overlapping mosquito and avian population. This may simplify epidemiological surveillance, since it allows the detection of different infections targeting the same population, but also represents a challenge, as the diagnostic tools applied need to detect the whole range of flaviviruses surveyed, and correctly differentiate between these closely related pathogens. To this aim, a duplex real-time RT-PCR (dRRT-PCR) method has been developed for the simultaneous and differential detection of JE and Ntaya flavivirus serocomplexes. The method has been standardized and evaluated by analyzing a panel of 49 flaviviral and non-flaviviral isolates, and clinical samples of different bird species obtained from experimental infections or from the field, proving its value for virus detection in apparently healthy or suspicious animals. This new dRRT-PCR technique is a reliable, specific and highly sensitive tool for rapid detection and differentiation of JE and Ntaya flavivirus groups in either domestic or wild animals. This novel method can be implemented in animal virology diagnostic laboratories as screening tool in routine surveillance and in the event of bird encephalitis emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia Elizalde
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Valdeolmos-Alalpardo, Spain
| | - Cristina Cano-Gómez
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Valdeolmos-Alalpardo, Spain
| | - Francisco Llorente
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Valdeolmos-Alalpardo, Spain
| | - Elisa Pérez-Ramírez
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Valdeolmos-Alalpardo, Spain
| | - Laia Casades-Martí
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), SaBio Group, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pilar Aguilera-Sepúlveda
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Valdeolmos-Alalpardo, Spain
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Fons
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), SaBio Group, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Valdeolmos-Alalpardo, Spain.,Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jovita Fernández-Pinero
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Valdeolmos-Alalpardo, Spain
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29
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Imported Human West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Infection in Spain: Neurological and Gastrointestinal Complications. Viruses 2020; 12:v12020156. [PMID: 32013149 PMCID: PMC7077332 DOI: 10.3390/v12020156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 infection imported to Spain by a traveler returning from Romania. Serum, cerebrospinal fluid and urine samples were analyzed and West Nile virus infection was identified by PCR and serological tests. The patient developed fever, diarrhea and neurological symptoms, accompanied by mild pancreatitis, described previously in very few cases as a complication of WNV infection and by alithiasic cholecystitis. Viral RNA was detected in urine until 30 days after the onset of symptoms and neutralizing antibodies were detected at very low titers. The phylogenetic analysis in a fragment of the NS5 gene of the virus showed a homology with sequences from WNV lineage 2 belonging to the monophyletic Central/Southern European group.
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30
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Comparative Pathology of West Nile Virus in Humans and Non-Human Animals. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9010048. [PMID: 31935992 PMCID: PMC7168622 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) continues to be a major cause of human arboviral neuroinvasive disease. Susceptible non-human vertebrates are particularly diverse, ranging from commonly affected birds and horses to less commonly affected species such as alligators. This review summarizes the pathology caused by West Nile virus during natural infections of humans and non-human animals. While the most well-known findings in human infection involve the central nervous system, WNV can also cause significant lesions in the heart, kidneys and eyes. Time has also revealed chronic neurologic sequelae related to prior human WNV infection. Similarly, neurologic disease is a prominent manifestation of WNV infection in most non-human non-host animals. However, in some avian species, which serve as the vertebrate host for WNV maintenance in nature, severe systemic disease can occur, with neurologic, cardiac, intestinal and renal injury leading to death. The pathology seen in experimental animal models of West Nile virus infection and knowledge gains on viral pathogenesis derived from these animal models are also briefly discussed. A gap in the current literature exists regarding the relationship between the neurotropic nature of WNV in vertebrates, virus propagation and transmission in nature. This and other knowledge gaps, and future directions for research into WNV pathology, are addressed.
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31
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Usefulness of Eurasian Magpies ( Pica pica) for West Nile virus Surveillance in Non-Endemic and Endemic Situations. Viruses 2019; 11:v11080716. [PMID: 31387316 PMCID: PMC6722797 DOI: 10.3390/v11080716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
: In September 2017, passive surveillance allowed the detection of West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 for the first time in northern Spain in a northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). However, a cross sectional study carried out in Eurasian magpies (Pica pica) in a nearby area evidenced that WNV had been circulating two months earlier. Therefore, active surveillance in Eurasian magpies proved its effectiveness for the early detection of WNV in a non-endemic area. Further surveys in 2018 and the beginning of 2019 using young magpies (i.e., born after 2017) showed the repeated circulation of WNV in the same region in the following transmission season. Therefore, active surveillance in Eurasian magpies as well proved to be useful for the detection of WNV circulation in areas that may be considered as endemic. In this manuscript we present the results of those studies and discuss reasons that make the Eurasian magpies an ideal species for the surveillance of WNV, both in endemic and non-endemic areas.
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32
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Hubálek Z, Tomešek M, Kosina M, Šikutová S, Straková P, Rudolf I. West Nile virus outbreak in captive and wild raptors, Czech Republic, 2018. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:978-981. [PMID: 31373181 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus lineage 2 (WNV-2) was detected in the brain of 17 goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) that succumbed to neuroinvasive disease in the Czech Republic during 2018: twelve birds were captive and five wild. Furthermore, two wild sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and three other captive birds of prey (golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos, hybrid saker falcon Falco cherrug × F. rusticolus and Harris's hawk Parabuteo unicinctus) also died due to WNV encephalitis. The 2018 outbreak in Czech raptors clearly reflects a new epidemiological situation and indicates an increasing risk of both raptor and human infection with WNV-2 in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenek Hubálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Tomešek
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marcel Kosina
- Czech Collection of Microorganisms, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Silvie Šikutová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Straková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo Rudolf
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
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33
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Busquets N, Laranjo-González M, Soler M, Nicolás O, Rivas R, Talavera S, Villalba R, San Miguel E, Torner N, Aranda C, Napp S. Detection of West Nile virus lineage 2 in North-Eastern Spain (Catalonia). Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 66:617-621. [PMID: 30506625 PMCID: PMC7380044 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In September 2017, West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 was detected in Catalonia (Northern Spain) in northern goshawks by passive surveillance. The phylogenetic analyses showed that it was related to the Central/Southern European strains, evidencing WNV lineage 2 spread to Western Europe. WNV local transmission was later detected in bearded vultures housed at the Wildlife Recovery center where the goshawk was transferred to. Further studies, before the following period of high mosquito activity, indicated that WNV had circulated intensively in poultry and horses but only surrounding of the area where the virus was detected. In other areas of Catalonia, circulation of flaviviruses different to WNV was identified. Public Health investigations failed to detect WNV infection in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Busquets
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA IRTA-UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | | | - Mercè Soler
- Departament d'Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca i Alimentació Generalitat de Catalunya, Servei de Prevenció en Salut Animal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Nicolás
- Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat, Centre de Fauna de Vallcalent, Lleida, Spain
| | - Raquel Rivas
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA IRTA-UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sandra Talavera
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA IRTA-UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Rubén Villalba
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria, Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente (MAPAMA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena San Miguel
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria, Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente (MAPAMA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Núria Torner
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carles Aranda
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA IRTA-UAB), Bellaterra, Spain.,Servei de Control de Mosquits, Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Sebastian Napp
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA IRTA-UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
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