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Kunkel MR, Casalena MJ, Mead DG, Blake M, Berghaus RD, Adcock KG, Martin JA, Ruder MG, Nemeth NM. Susceptibility of wild turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo) to experimental West Nile virus infection. Avian Pathol 2022; 51:601-612. [DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2022.2123732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie R. Kunkel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | | | - Daniel G. Mead
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Mitchell Blake
- National Wild Turkey Federation, Edgefield, SC 29824, USA
| | - Roy D. Berghaus
- Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Kayla G. Adcock
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - James A. Martin
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Mark G. Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Nicole M. Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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2
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Kunkel MR, Mead DG, Ruder MG, Nemeth NM. Our current understanding of West Nile virus in upland game birds. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie R. Kunkel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study University of Georgia 589 D.W. Brooks Drive Athens 30602 GA USA
| | - Daniel G. Mead
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study University of Georgia 589 D.W. Brooks Drive Athens 30602 GA USA
| | - Mark G. Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study University of Georgia 589 D.W. Brooks Drive Athens 30602 GA USA
| | - Nicole M. Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study University of Georgia 589 D.W. Brooks Drive Athens 30602 GA USA
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Kunkel MR, Mead DG, Berghaus RD, Adcock KG, Ruder MG, Nemeth NM. Experimental West Nile Virus Infection in Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus). Avian Dis 2021; 65:523-529. [DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-21-00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie R. Kunkel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Daniel G. Mead
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Roy D. Berghaus
- Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Kayla G. Adcock
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Mark G. Ruder
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Nicole M. Nemeth
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
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Previous Usutu Virus Exposure Partially Protects Magpies ( Pica pica) against West Nile Virus Disease But Does Not Prevent Horizontal Transmission. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071409. [PMID: 34372622 PMCID: PMC8310384 DOI: 10.3390/v13071409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito-borne flaviviruses USUV and WNV are known to co-circulate in large parts of Europe. Both are a public health concern, and USUV has been the cause of epizootics in both wild and domestic birds, and neurological cases in humans in Europe. Here, we explore the susceptibility of magpies to experimental USUV infection, and how previous exposure to USUV would affect infection with WNV. None of the magpies exposed to USUV showed clinical signs, viremia, or detectable neutralizing antibodies. After challenge with a neurovirulent WNV strain, neither viremia, viral titer of WNV in vascular feathers, nor neutralizing antibody titers of previously USUV-exposed magpies differed significantly with respect to magpies that had not previously been exposed to USUV. However, 75% (6/8) of the USUV-exposed birds survived, while only 22.2% (2/9) of those not previously exposed to USUV survived. WNV antigen labeling by immunohistochemistry in tissues was less evident and more restricted in magpies exposed to USUV prior to challenge with WNV. Our data indicate that previous exposure to USUV partially protects magpies against a lethal challenge with WNV, while it does not prevent viremia and direct transmission, although the mechanism is unclear. These results are relevant for flavivirus ecology and contention.
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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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West Nile Virus: An Update on Pathobiology, Epidemiology, Diagnostics, Control and "One Health" Implications. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9070589. [PMID: 32707644 PMCID: PMC7400489 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an important zoonotic flavivirus responsible for mild fever to severe, lethal neuroinvasive disease in humans, horses, birds, and other wildlife species. Since its discovery, WNV has caused multiple human and animal disease outbreaks in all continents, except Antarctica. Infections are associated with economic losses, mainly due to the cost of treatment of infected patients, control programmes, and loss of animals and animal products. The pathogenesis of WNV has been extensively investigated in natural hosts as well as in several animal models, including rodents, lagomorphs, birds, and reptiles. However, most of the proposed pathogenesis hypotheses remain contentious, and much remains to be elucidated. At the same time, the unavailability of specific antiviral treatment or effective and safe vaccines contribute to the perpetuation of the disease and regular occurrence of outbreaks in both endemic and non-endemic areas. Moreover, globalisation and climate change are also important drivers of the emergence and re-emergence of the virus and disease. Here, we give an update of the pathobiology, epidemiology, diagnostics, control, and “One Health” implications of WNV infection and disease.
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Puleio R, Manno C, Valenza A, Tolone M, Loria GR. Laboratory findings on the health status of the endemic rock‐partridge (
Alectoris graeca whitakeri
) population during a two‐year conservation programme in Sicily. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2020-001100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Puleio
- Histopathology and Immunohistochemistry LaboratoryIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia Adelmo MirriPalermoSiciliaItaly
| | - Claudia Manno
- Area Diagnostica SpecialisticaIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia Adelmo MirriPalermoSiciliaItaly
| | - Andrea Valenza
- Area Diagnostica SpecialisticaIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia Adelmo MirriPalermoSiciliaItaly
| | - Marco Tolone
- Dipartimento di Scienze AgrarieAlimentari e ForestaliUniversita degli Studi di PalermoPalermoItaly
| | - Guido Ruggero Loria
- Area Diagnostica SpecialisticaIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia Adelmo MirriPalermoSiciliaItaly
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Jiménez de Oya N, Escribano-Romero E, Blázquez AB, Martín-Acebes MA, Saiz JC. Current Progress of Avian Vaccines Against West Nile Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7040126. [PMID: 31547632 PMCID: PMC6963603 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds are the main natural host of West Nile virus (WNV), the worldwide most distributed mosquito-borne flavivirus, but humans and equids can also be sporadic hosts. Many avian species have been reported as susceptible to WNV, particularly corvids. In the case that clinical disease develops in birds, this is due to virus invasion of different organs: liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and mainly the central nervous system, which can lead to death 24–48 h later. Nowadays, vaccines have only been licensed for use in equids; thus, the availability of avian vaccines would benefit bird populations, both domestic and wild ones. Such vaccines could be used in endangered species housed in rehabilitation and wildlife reserves, and in animals located at zoos and other recreational installations, but also in farm birds, and in those that are grown for hunting and restocking activities. Even more, controlling WNV infection in birds can also be useful to prevent its spread and limit outbreaks. So far, different commercial and experimental vaccines (inactivated, attenuated, and recombinant viruses, and subunits and DNA-based candidates) have been evaluated, with various regimens, both in domestic and wild avian species. However, there are still disadvantages that must be overcome before avian vaccination can be implemented, such as its cost-effectiveness for domestic birds since in many species the pathogenicity is low or zero, or the viability of being able to achieve collective immunity in wild birds in freedom. Here, a comprehensive review of what has been done until now in the field of avian vaccines against WNV is presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nereida Jiménez de Oya
- Department of Biotechnology, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Estela Escribano-Romero
- Department of Biotechnology, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana-Belén Blázquez
- Department of Biotechnology, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- Department of Biotechnology, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Department of Biotechnology, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Jiménez de Oya N, Escribano-Romero E, Camacho MC, Blazquez AB, Martín-Acebes MA, Höfle U, Saiz JC. A Recombinant Subviral Particle-Based Vaccine Protects Magpie ( Pica pica) Against West Nile Virus Infection. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1133. [PMID: 31231320 PMCID: PMC6560071 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) is a highly neurovirulent Flavivirus currently representing an emergent zoonotic concern. WNV cycles in nature between mosquito vectors and birds that act as amplifier hosts and play an essential role in virus ecology, being, thus, WNV a threat to many species. Availability of an efficient avian vaccine would benefit certain avian populations, both birds grown for hunting and restocking activities, as well as endangered species in captive breeding projects, wildlife reservations, and recreation installations, and would be useful to prevent and contain outbreaks. Avian vaccination would be also of interest to limit WNV spillover to humans or horses from susceptible bird species that live in urbanized landscapes, like magpies. Herein, we have addressed the efficacy of a single dose of a WNV recombinant subviral particle (RSP) vaccine in susceptible magpie (Pica pica). The protective capacity of the RSP-based vaccine was demonstrated upon challenge of magpies with 5 × 103 plaque forming units of a neurovirulent WNV strain. A significant improvement in survival rates of immunized birds was recorded when compared to vehicle-inoculated animals (71.4 vs. 22.2%, respectively). Viremia, which is directly related to the capacity of a host to be competent for virus transmission, was reduced in vaccinated animals, as was the presence of infectious virus in feather follicles. Bird-to-bird transmission was recorded in three of six unchallenged (contact) magpies housed with non-vaccinated WNV-infected birds, but not in contact animals housed with vaccinated WNV-infected magpies. These results demonstrate the protective efficacy of the RSP-based vaccine in susceptible birds against WNV infection and its value in controlling the spread of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nereida Jiménez de Oya
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Estela Escribano-Romero
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Cruz Camacho
- Grupo de Sanidad y Biotecnología SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ana-Belén Blazquez
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ursula Höfle
- Grupo de Sanidad y Biotecnología SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
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Gamino V, Escribano-Romero E, Blázquez AB, Gutiérrez-Guzmán AV, Martín-Acebes MÁ, Saiz JC, Höfle U. Experimental North American West Nile Virus Infection in the Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa). Vet Pathol 2015; 53:585-93. [PMID: 26508695 DOI: 10.1177/0300985815612554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
After the introduction of West Nile virus (WNV) into North America, bird mortalities associated with West Nile disease have dramatically increased in this continent and, to a lesser extent, in Europe. The different West Nile disease incidence in birds in these 2 continents demands an explanation, and experimental studies can provide important information. The authors inoculated thirteen 9-week-old red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) with 10(7)plaque-forming units of a WNV strain isolated in New York in 1999. The objective was to study the pathogenesis of the infection in a native Euro-Mediterranean bird species with a WNV strain known to be highly pathogenic for numerous native American bird species. Additionally, the authors evaluated the dynamics of inflammatory cell activation and recruitment into the brain. WNV was detected in tissues 3 days postinoculation (dpi), and the birds developed macroscopic and microscopic lesions. Two partridges succumbed to the disease. The most affected tissues were the heart, brain, and spinal cord. The main microscopic findings were the presence of mononuclear infiltrates in the heart and brain, gliosis, and degeneration and necrosis of cardiomyocytes and neurons. These lesions were aggravated in the birds that died or were euthanized 7 dpi or later. In the brain, there was an upregulation of microglial cells and astrocytes and an increase in the number of T cells, especially after 7 dpi. These results show that this WNV strain is of moderate virulence for the red-legged partridge and that WNV-infected red-legged partridges develop an immune cell response in the brain similar to that of mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Gamino
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - E Escribano-Romero
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias, Madrid, Spain
| | - A-B Blázquez
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias, Madrid, Spain
| | - A-V Gutiérrez-Guzmán
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - M-Á Martín-Acebes
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias, Madrid, Spain
| | - J-C Saiz
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias, Madrid, Spain
| | - U Höfle
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
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11
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Eckstrand CD, Woods LW, Diab SS, Crossley BM, Giannitti F. Diagnostic exercise: High mortality in a flock of chukar partridge chicks (Alectoris chukar) in California. Vet Pathol 2014; 52:189-92. [PMID: 24686386 DOI: 10.1177/0300985814529311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Mortality of 20% of a flock of 1000 chukar partridge chicks occurred over a 6-week period in Northern California from August to September 2012. Affected birds were 2 to 42 days old and died without premonitory clinical signs or after showing ruffled feathers and anorexia for 24 to 72 hours. Three carcasses were submitted for necropsy, 2 birds had hemorrhagic tracheitis grossly, and all 3 had lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic myocarditis with myocardial necrosis microscopically. The differential diagnoses and the diagnostic workup to achieve a final diagnosis are discussed. The detection of 2 zoonotic agents in these birds makes this an interesting case from a public health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- C D Eckstrand
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - L W Woods
- California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - S S Diab
- California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - B M Crossley
- California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - F Giannitti
- California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory System, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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12
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Experimental infections of wild birds with West Nile virus. Viruses 2014; 6:752-81. [PMID: 24531334 PMCID: PMC3939481 DOI: 10.3390/v6020752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Revised: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian models of West Nile virus (WNV) disease have become pivotal in the study of infection pathogenesis and transmission, despite the intrinsic constraints that represents this type of experimental research that needs to be conducted in biosecurity level 3 (BSL3) facilities. This review summarizes the main achievements of WNV experimental research carried out in wild birds, highlighting advantages and limitations of this model. Viral and host factors that determine the infection outcome are analyzed in detail, as well as recent discoveries about avian immunity, viral transmission, and persistence achieved through experimental research. Studies of laboratory infections in the natural host will help to understand variations in susceptibility and reservoir competence among bird species, as well as in the epidemiological patterns found in different affected areas.
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Escribano-Romero E, Gamino V, Merino-Ramos T, Blázquez A, Martín-Acebes M, de Oya NJ, Gutiérrez-Guzmán A, Escribano JM, Höfle U, Saiz J. Protection of red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) against West Nile virus (WNV) infection after immunization with WNV recombinant envelope protein E (rE). Vaccine 2013; 31:4523-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.07.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Gamino V, Höfle U. Pathology and tissue tropism of natural West Nile virus infection in birds: a review. Vet Res 2013; 44:39. [PMID: 23731695 PMCID: PMC3686667 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a globally distributed arthropod-borne flavivirus capable of infecting a wide variety of vertebrates, with birds as its natural reservoir. Although it had been considered a pathogen of little importance for birds, from the 1990's, and especially after its introduction in the North American continent in 1999, thousands of birds have succumbed to West Nile infection. This review summarizes the pathogenesis and pathology of WNV infection in birds highlighting differences in lesion and antigen distribution and severity among bird orders and families. Despite significant species differences in susceptibility to infection, WNV associated lesions and viral antigen are present in the majority of organs of infected birds. The non-progressive, acute or more prolonged course of the disease accounts for part of the differences in lesion and viral antigen distribution and lesion severity. Most likely a combination of host variables and environmental factors in addition to the intrinsic virulence and pathogenicity of the infecting WNV strain influence the pathogenesis of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Gamino
- SaBio Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM) Ronda de Toledo s/n, Ciudad Real 13005, Spain
| | - Ursula Höfle
- SaBio Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM) Ronda de Toledo s/n, Ciudad Real 13005, Spain
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15
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Gamino V, Gutiérrez-Guzmán AV, Fernández-de-Mera IG, Ortíz JA, Durán-Martín M, de la Fuente J, Gortázar C, Höfle U. Natural Bagaza virus infection in game birds in southern Spain. Vet Res 2012; 43:65. [PMID: 22966904 PMCID: PMC3483237 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-43-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In late summer 2010 a mosquito born flavivirus not previously reported in Europe called Bagaza virus (BAGV) caused high mortality in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) and ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). We studied clinical findings, lesions and viral antigen distribution in naturally BAGV infected game birds in order to understand the apparently higher impact on red-legged partridges. The disease induced neurologic signs in the two galliform species and, to a lesser extent, in common wood pigeons (Columba palumbus). In red-legged partridges infection by BAGV caused severe haemosiderosis in the liver and spleen that was absent in pheasants and less evident in common wood pigeons. Also, BAGV antigen was present in vascular endothelium in multiple organs in red-legged partridges, and in the spleen in common wood pigeons, while in ring-necked pheasants it was only detected in neurons and glial cells in the brain. These findings indicate tropism of BAGV for endothelial cells and a severe haemolytic process in red-legged partridges in addition to the central nervous lesions that were found in all three species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Gamino
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain.
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16
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Sotelo E, Gutierrez-Guzmán AV, del Amo J, Llorente F, El-Harrak M, Pérez-Ramírez E, Blanco JM, Höfle U, Jiménez-Clavero MA. Pathogenicity of two recent Western Mediterranean West Nile virus isolates in a wild bird species indigenous to Southern Europe: the red-legged partridge. Vet Res 2011; 42:11. [PMID: 21314967 PMCID: PMC3037891 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-42-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2010] [Accepted: 09/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen whose geographic spread and incidence in humans, horses and birds has increased significantly in recent years. WNV has long been considered a mild pathogen causing self-limiting outbreaks. This notion has changed as WNV is causing large epidemics with a high impact on human and animal health. This has been particularly noteworthy since its introduction into North America in 1999. There, native bird species have been shown to be highly susceptible to WNV infection and disease with high mortalities. For this reason, the effect of WNV infection in North American bird species has been thoroughly studied by means of experimental inoculations in controlled trials. To a lesser extent, European wild birds have been shown to be affected clinically by WNV infection. Yet experimental studies on European wild bird species are lacking. The red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a gallinaceous bird indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula, widely distributed in South Western Europe. It plays a key role in the Mediterranean ecosystem and constitutes an economically important game species. As such it is raised intensively in outdoor facilities. In this work, red-legged partridges were experimentally infected with two recent WNV isolates from the Western Mediterranean area: Morocco/2003 and Spain/2007. All inoculated birds became viremic and showed clinical disease, with mortality rates of 70% and 30%, respectively. These results show that Western Mediterranean WNV variants can be pathogenic for some European bird species, such as the red-legged partridge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Sotelo
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal del Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (CISA-INIA), Ctra Algete-El Casar, s/n, 28130 Valdeolmos (Madrid), Spain.
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Walker BL, Naugle DE, Doherty KE, Cornish TE. West Nile virus and greater sage-grouse: estimating infection rate in a wild bird population. Avian Dis 2007; 51:691-6. [PMID: 17992928 DOI: 10.1637/0005-2086(2007)51[691:wnvags]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Understanding impacts of disease on wild bird populations requires knowing not only mortality rate following infection, but also the proportion of the population that is infected. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in western North America are known to have a high mortality rate following infection with West Nile virus (WNv), but actual infection rates in wild populations remain unknown. We used rates of WNv-related mortality and seroprevalence from radiomarked females to estimate infection rates in a wild greater sage-grouse population in the Powder River basin (PRB) of Montana and Wyoming from 2003 to 2005. Minimum WNv-related mortality rates ranged from 2.4% to 13.3% among years and maximum possible rates ranged from 8.2% to 28.9%. All live-captured birds in 2003 and 2004 tested seronegative. In spring 2005 and spring 2006, 10.3% and 1.8% respectively, of newly captured females tested seropositive for neutralizing antibodies to WNv. These are the first documented cases of sage-grouse surviving infection with WNv. Low to moderate WNv-related mortality in summer followed by low seroprevalence the following spring in all years indicates that annual infection rates were between 4% and 29%. This suggests that most sage-grouse in the PRB have not yet been exposed and remain susceptible. Impacts of WNv in the PRB in the near future will likely depend more on annual variation in temperature and changes in vector distribution than on the spread of resistance. Until the epizootiology of WNv in sagebrush-steppe ecosystems is better understood, we suggest that management to reduce impacts of WNv focus on eliminating man-made water sources that support breeding mosquitoes known to vector the virus. Our findings also underscore problems with using seroprevalence as a surrogate for infection rate and for identifying competent hosts in highly susceptible species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett L Walker
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
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