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Mathews-Martin L, Gonzalez G, Dheilly NM, Amaral-Moraes R, Dumarest M, Helle T, Migne C, Caillot C, Lacour SA, Pérelle S, Beck C, Metras R, Bournez L. Exposure of cattle to tick-borne encephalitis virus in the historical endemic zone in north-eastern France. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:228. [PMID: 38796429 PMCID: PMC11127440 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04079-8] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a severe human neuroinfection caused by TBE virus (TBEV). TBEV is transmitted by tick bites and by the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from infected asymptomatic ruminants. In France, several food-borne transmission events have been reported since 2020, raising the question of the level of exposure of domestic ungulates to TBEV. In this study, our objectives were (i) to estimate TBEV seroprevalence and quantify antibodies titres in cattle in the historical endemic area of TBEV in France using the micro virus neutralisation test (MNT) and (ii) to compare the performance of two veterinary cELISA kits with MNT for detecting anti-TBEV antibodies in cattle in various epidemiological contexts. A total of 344 cattle sera from four grid cells of 100 km² in Alsace-Lorraine (endemic region) and 84 from western France, assumed to be TBEV-free, were investigated. RESULTS In Alsace-Lorraine, cattle were exposed to the virus with an overall estimated seroprevalence of 57.6% (95% CI: 52.1-62.8%, n = 344), varying locally from 29.9% (95% CI: 21.0-40.0%) to 92.1% (95% CI: 84.5-96.8%). Seroprevalence did not increase with age, with one- to three-year-old cattle being as highly exposed as older ones, suggesting a short-life duration of antibodies. The proportion of sera with MNT titres lower than 1:40 per grid cell decreased with increased seroprevalence. Both cELISA kits showed high specificity (> 90%) and low sensitivity (less than 78.1%) compared with MNT. Sensitivity was lower for sera with neutralising antibodies titres below 1:40, suggesting that sensitivity of these tests varied with local virus circulation intensity. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight that cattle were highly exposed to TBEV. Screening strategy and serological tests should be carefully chosen according to the purpose of the serological study and with regard to the limitations of each method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Mathews-Martin
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Widlife, Malzéville, F-54220, France.
- VetAgro Sup, ENSV-FVI, Marcy-L'Étoile, F-69280, France.
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France.
- ANSES, Laboratory for Food Safety, UVE, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France.
| | - Gaëlle Gonzalez
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Nolwenn M Dheilly
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Rayane Amaral-Moraes
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Marine Dumarest
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Teheipuaura Helle
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Camille Migne
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Christophe Caillot
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Widlife, Malzéville, F-54220, France
| | - Sandrine A Lacour
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Sylvie Pérelle
- ANSES, Laboratory for Food Safety, UVE, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Cécile Beck
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Raphaëlle Metras
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (IPLESP, UMRS, 1136), Paris, F-75012, France
| | - Laure Bournez
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Widlife, Malzéville, F-54220, France.
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Topp AK, Springer A, Mischke R, Rieder J, Feige K, Ganter M, Nagel-Kohl U, Nordhoff M, Boelke M, Becker S, Pachnicke S, Schunack B, Dobler G, Strube C. Seroprevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in wild and domestic animals in northern Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102220. [PMID: 37356181 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102220] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a tick-transmitted flavivirus, which can infect humans and animals, sometimes even with a fatal outcome. Since many decades, TBEV is endemic in southern Germany, while only sporadic occurrence has been noted in northern parts of the country so far. Nevertheless, autochthonous human clinical cases are increasing in the federal state of Lower Saxony in north-western Germany, and several natural foci of TBEV transmission have recently been detected in this federal state. In order to shed more light on the current distribution of TBEV in Lower Saxony, the present study examined blood samples from wild and domestic animals for antibodies against TBEV. Overall, samples from 4,085 animals were tested by ELISA, including wild boar (N = 1,208), roe deer (N = 149), red deer (N = 61), fallow deer (N = 18), red foxes (N = 9), nutria (N = 9), raccoon dogs (N = 3), raccoons (N = 3), badgers (N = 1), European pine martens (N = 1), horses (N = 574), sheep (N = 266), goats (N = 67), dogs (N = 1,317) and cats (N = 399). Samples with an ELISA result of ≥60 Vienna units (VIEU)/ml were subjected to confirmatory serum neutralization tests (SNT). In total, 343 of 4,085 (8.4%) animals tested positive for anti-TBEV-IgG by ELISA, of which 60 samples were confirmed by SNT. Samples of 89 animals showed a cytotoxic effect in the SNT and were excluded from seroprevalence calculation, resulting in an overall seroprevalence of 1.5% (60/3,996). Seroprevalence was higher among wild animals (wild boar: 2.9% [34/1,190], roe deer: 2.7% [4/149], red deer: 1.7% [1/60], fallow deer: 5.6% [1/18]) than among domestic animals (dogs: 1.1% [15/1,317], horses: 0.8% [4/505], sheep: 0.4% [1/266]). No anti-TBEV-antibodies were detected in the other wild animal species as well as goats and cats. A notable clustering of positive samples was observed in districts where TBEV transmission foci have been described. Further clusters in other districts suggest the existence of so far undetected transmission foci, underlining the fact that both wild and domestic animals are useful sentinels for monitoring the spread of TBEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Katharina Topp
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Reinhard Mischke
- Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Johanna Rieder
- Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Karsten Feige
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30173, Germany
| | - Uschi Nagel-Kohl
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Veterinary Institute Hannover, Hannover 30173, Germany
| | - Marcel Nordhoff
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Food and Veterinary Institute Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26133, Germany
| | - Matthias Boelke
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Stefanie Becker
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | | | - Bettina Schunack
- Elanco Animal Health, Bayer Animal Health GmbH, Monheim 40789, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- National Reference Laboratory for TBEV, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich 80937, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, Hannover 30559, Germany.
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3
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Grassi L, Drigo M, Zelená H, Pasotto D, Cassini R, Mondin A, Franzo G, Tucciarone CM, Ossola M, Vidorin E, Menandro ML. Wild ungulates as sentinels of flaviviruses and tick-borne zoonotic pathogen circulation: an Italian perspective. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:155. [PMID: 37710273 PMCID: PMC10500747 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03717-x] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector-borne zoonotic diseases are a concerning issue in Europe. Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) have been reported in several countries with a large impact on public health; other emerging pathogens, such as Rickettsiales, and mosquito-borne flaviviruses have been increasingly reported. All these pathogens are linked to wild ungulates playing roles as tick feeders, spreaders, and sentinels for pathogen circulation. This study evaluated the prevalence of TBEV, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Coxiella spp. by biomolecular screening of blood samples and ticks collected from wild ungulates. Ungulates were also screened by ELISA and virus neutralization tests for flaviviral antibody detection. RESULTS A total of 274 blood samples were collected from several wild ungulate species, as well as 406 Ixodes ricinus, which were feeding on them. Blood samples tested positive for B. burgdorferi s.l. (1.1%; 0-2.3%) and Rickettsia spp. (1.1%; 0-2.3%) and showed an overall flaviviral seroprevalence of 30.6% (22.1-39.2%): 26.1% (17.9-34.3%) for TBEV, 3.6% (0.1-7.1%) for Usutu virus and 0.9% (0-2.7%) for West Nile virus. Ticks were pooled when possible and yielded 331 tick samples that tested positive for B. burgdorferi s.l. (8.8%; 5.8-11.8%), Rickettsia spp. (26.6%; 21.8-31.2%) and Neoehrlichia mikurensis (1.2%; 0-2.4%). TBEV and Coxiella spp. were not detected in either blood or tick samples. CONCLUSIONS This research highlighted a high prevalence of several tick-borne zoonotic pathogens and high seroprevalence for flaviviruses in both hilly and alpine areas. For the first time, an alpine chamois tested positive for anti-TBEV antibodies. Ungulate species are of particular interest due to their sentinel role in flavivirus circulation and their indirect role in tick-borne diseases and maintenance as Ixodes feeders and spreaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Grassi
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, Legnaro, PD 35020 Italy
| | - Michele Drigo
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, Legnaro, PD 35020 Italy
| | - Hana Zelená
- Department of Virology, Institute of Public Health, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Pasotto
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, Legnaro, PD 35020 Italy
| | - Rudi Cassini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, Legnaro, PD 35020 Italy
| | - Alessandra Mondin
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, Legnaro, PD 35020 Italy
| | - Giovanni Franzo
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, Legnaro, PD 35020 Italy
| | - Claudia Maria Tucciarone
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, Legnaro, PD 35020 Italy
| | - Martina Ossola
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, Legnaro, PD 35020 Italy
| | - Elena Vidorin
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, Legnaro, PD 35020 Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Menandro
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, Legnaro, PD 35020 Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Tick-borne encephalitis continues to be one of the most significant causes of viral encephalitis in Europe and Asia. This review will focus on recent developments in the epidemiology, pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches related to infection with tick-borne encephalitis virus. RECENT FINDINGS There is a growing consensus that tick-borne encephalitis viruses are increasing in geographical range, with countries previously free of disease reporting detection of both human cases and presence of virus within indigenous tick populations. The drivers for this are multifactorial but underpinned by human-mediated climate change. Recent developments in pathogenesis have focussed on the intracellular response to infection, particularly in different cell types within the central nervous system (CNS) that are revealing the array of cellular networks triggered by infection. This in turn highlights the need for small molecule therapeutics, such as nucleoside analogues, that can enter the CNS, and the intracellular environment, to inhibit virus replication following neuroinvasion. SUMMARY Based on continued epidemiological surveillance, tick-borne encephalitis viruses will increasingly affect human populations in Europe and Asia. Much of the research highlighted in this review demonstrates incremental advances in our understanding of these viruses. However, more is required if effective prevention and treatment of this devastating encephalitic viruses are to be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Johnson
- Vector-Borne Diseases, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - Camille V Migné
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR 1161 Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maison-Alfort, France
| | - Gaëlle Gonzalez
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR 1161 Virologie, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maison-Alfort, France
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5
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Agliani G, Giglia G, Marshall EM, Gröne A, Rockx BH, van den Brand JM. Pathological features of West Nile and Usutu virus natural infections in wild and domestic animals and in humans: A comparative review. One Health 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
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Siljic M, Sehovic R, Jankovic M, Stamenkovic G, Loncar A, Todorovic M, Stanojevic M, Cirkovic V. Evolutionary dynamics of Usutu virus: Worldwide dispersal patterns and transmission dynamics in Europe. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1145981. [PMID: 37032910 PMCID: PMC10076808 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1145981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging mosquito-borne Flavivirus, with birds as the main zoonotic reservoir. Humans are accidental hosts and mostly develop mild or even asymptomatic infections, although severe complications such as encephalitis can also arise. Detailed characterization of the pathogen's phylogenetics may offer valuable insights into the prediction and prevention of potential epidemics; however, lack of uniformity and the number of available USUV sequences worldwide hamper comprehensive investigation. Aim The study aimed to investigate USUV spatio-temporal dispersal inter- and intracontinentally and to estimate the dynamics of viral spread within Europe. Methods Phylogeographic and phylodynamic analyses were done using advanced phylogenetic methods implemented in Beast 1.10.4 and Beast 2.6.4 software packages. Results Herein, we report on a new USUV isolate from Culex pipiens collected in 2019 from Serbia. The results of this research revealed two newly described intercontinental migration events of USUV from Africa to Germany in the 1970s and from Africa to the Middle East (Israel) in the late 90s. Finally, phylodynamic analysis substantiated the ongoing active expansion of USUV in Europe. Conclusion The data would imply a high potential for further USUV expansion in Europe. Detailed phylogenetic characterization of the pathogen may offer valuable insights into prediction and prevention of potential epidemics; however, lack of uniformity and number of available USUV sequences worldwide hampers comprehensive investigation. This study draws attention to the need for upscaling USUV surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Siljic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Rastko Sehovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Jankovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gorana Stamenkovic
- Department for Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Loncar
- Institute for Biocides and Medical Ecology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Todorovic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Stanojevic
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Valentina Cirkovic
- Group for Medical Entomology, Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- *Correspondence: Valentina Cirkovic
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Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Prevalence in Sheep, Wild Boar and Ticks in Belgium. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112362. [PMID: 36366458 PMCID: PMC9699201 DOI: 10.3390/v14112362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most important tick-borne zoonotic virus in Europe. In Belgium, antibodies to TBEV have already been detected in wildlife and domestic animals, but up-to-date prevalence data for TBEV are lacking, and no studies have assessed its seroprevalence in sheep. Serum samples of 480 sheep from all over Belgium and 831 wild boar hunted in Flanders (northern Belgium) were therefore screened for TBEV antibodies by ELISA and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), respectively. The specificity of positive samples was assessed by PRNTs for TBEV and the Louping Ill, West Nile, and Usutu viruses. TBEV seroprevalence was 0.42% (2/480, CI 95%: 0.11-1.51) in sheep and 9.27% (77/831, CI 95%: 7.48-11.43) in wild boar. TBEV seroprevalence in wild boar from the province of Flemish Brabant was significantly higher (22.38%, 15/67) compared to Limburg (7.74%, 34/439) and Antwerp (8.61%, 28/325). Oud-Heverlee was the hunting area harboring the highest TBEV seroprevalence (33.33%, 11/33). In an attempt to obtain a Belgian TBEV isolate, 1983 ticks collected in areas showing the highest TBEV seroprevalence in wild boars were tested by real-time qPCR. No TBEV-RNA-positive tick was detected. The results of this study suggest an increase in TBEV prevalence over the last decade and highlight the need for One-Health surveillance in Belgium.
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A Systematic Review of the Distribution of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Wild Animals and Their Ticks in the Mediterranean Rim between 2000 and 2021. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091858. [PMID: 36144460 PMCID: PMC9504443 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) can be divided into three groups: bacteria, parasites, and viruses. They are transmitted by a wide range of tick species and cause a variety of human, animal, and zoonotic diseases. A total of 148 publications were found on tick-borne pathogens in wild animals, reporting on 85 species of pathogens from 35 tick species and 17 wild animal hosts between 2000 and February 2021. The main TBPs reported were of bacterial origin, including Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. A total of 72.2% of the TBPs came from infected ticks collected from wild animals. The main tick genus positive for TBPs was Ixodes. This genus was mainly reported in Western Europe, which was the focus of most of the publications (66.9%). It was followed by the Hyalomma genus, which was mainly reported in other areas of the Mediterranean Rim. These TBPs and TBP-positive tick genera were reported to have come from a total of 17 wild animal hosts. The main hosts reported were game mammals such as red deer and wild boars, but small vertebrates such as birds and rodents were also found to be infected. Of the 148 publications, 12.8% investigated publications on Mediterranean islands, and 36.8% of all the TBPs were reported in seven tick genera and 11 wild animal hosts there. The main TBP-positive wild animals and tick genera reported on these islands were birds and Hyalomma spp. Despite the small percentage of publications focusing on ticks, they reveal the importance of islands when monitoring TBPs in wild animals. This is especially true for wild birds, which may disseminate their ticks and TBPs along their migration path.
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9
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Gonzalez G, Bournez L, Moraes RA, Marine D, Galon C, Vorimore F, Cochin M, Nougairède A, Hennechart-Collette C, Perelle S, Leparc-Goffart I, Durand GA, Grard G, Bénet T, Danjou N, Blanchin M, Lacour SA, Franck B, Chenut G, Mainguet C, Simon C, Brémont L, Zientara S, Moutailler S, Martin-Latil S, Dheilly NM, Beck C, Lecollinet S. A One-Health Approach to Investigating an Outbreak of Alimentary Tick-Borne Encephalitis in a Non-endemic Area in France (Ain, Eastern France): A Longitudinal Serological Study in Livestock, Detection in Ticks, and the First Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Isolation and Molecular Characterisation. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:863725. [PMID: 35479640 PMCID: PMC9037541 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.863725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus’ (TBEV) geographic range and the human incidence are increasing throughout Europe, putting a number of non-endemic regions and countries at risk of outbreaks. In spring 2020, there was an outbreak of tick-born encephalitis (TBE) in Ain, Eastern France, where the virus had never been detected before. All patients but one had consumed traditional unpasteurised raw goat cheese from a local producer. We conducted an investigation in the suspected farm using an integrative One Health approach. Our methodology included (i) the detection of virus in cheese and milk products, (ii) serological testing of all animals in the suspected farm and surrounding farms, (iii) an analysis of the landscape and localisation of wooded area, (iv) the capture of questing ticks and small mammals for virus detection and estimating enzootic hazard, and (v) virus isolation and genome sequencing. This approach allowed us to confirm the alimentary origin of the TBE outbreak and witness in real-time the seroconversion of recently exposed individuals and excretion of virus in goat milk. In addition, we identified a wooded focus area where and around which there is a risk of TBEV exposure. We provide the first TBEV isolate responsible for the first alimentary-transmitted TBE in France, obtained its full-length genome sequence, and found that it belongs to the European subtype of TBEV. TBEV is now a notifiable human disease in France, which should facilitate surveillance of its incidence and distribution throughout France.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Gonzalez
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Laure Bournez
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Malzéville, France
| | - Rayane Amaral Moraes
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Dumarest Marine
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Clémence Galon
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Fabien Vorimore
- Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, Laboratory for Animal Health, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, Paris-Est University, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Cochin
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Antoine Nougairède
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | | | - Sylvie Perelle
- ANSES Laboratory for Food Safety, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Isabelle Leparc-Goffart
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,French National Reference Centre for Arbovirus, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Guillaume André Durand
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,French National Reference Centre for Arbovirus, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Gilda Grard
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,French National Reference Centre for Arbovirus, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Thomas Bénet
- Santé Publique France, French Public Health Agency, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Office, Lyon, France
| | - Nathalie Danjou
- Regional Health Agency (Agence Régionale de Santé), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Lyon, France
| | - Martine Blanchin
- Regional Health Agency (Agence Régionale de Santé), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Lyon, France
| | - Sandrine A Lacour
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Boué Franck
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Malzéville, France
| | - Guillaume Chenut
- Local Health Authority, Direction Départementale de la Protection de la Population de l'Ain, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
| | - Catherine Mainguet
- Local Health Authority, Direction Départementale de la Protection de la Population de l'Ain, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
| | - Catherine Simon
- Local Health Authority, Direction Départementale de la Protection de la Population de l'Ain, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
| | - Laurence Brémont
- Local Health Authority, Direction Départementale de la Protection de la Population de l'Ain, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
| | - Stephan Zientara
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sandra Martin-Latil
- ANSES Laboratory for Food Safety, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Nolwenn M Dheilly
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Cécile Beck
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
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10
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Molecular Detection of Zoonotic and Non-Zoonotic Pathogens from Wild Boars and Their Ticks in the Corsican Wetlands. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121643. [PMID: 34959598 PMCID: PMC8707423 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121643] [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: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Corsica is the main French island in the Mediterranean Sea and has high levels of human and animal population movement. Among the local animal species, the wild boar is highly prevalent in the Corsican landscape and in the island’s traditions. Wild boars are the most commonly hunted animals on this island, and can be responsible for the transmission and circulation of pathogens and their vectors. In this study, wild boar samples and ticks were collected in 17 municipalities near wetlands on the Corsican coast. A total of 158 hunted wild boars were sampled (523 samples). Of these samples, 113 were ticks: 96.4% were Dermacentor marginatus, and the remainder were Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma scupense and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. Of the wild boar samples, only three blood samples were found to be positive for Babesia spp. Of the tick samples, 90 were found to be positive for tick-borne pathogens (rickettsial species). These results confirm the importance of the wild boar as a host for ticks carrying diseases such as rickettsiosis near wetlands and recreational sites. Our findings also show that the wild boar is a potential carrier of babesiosis in Corsica, a pathogen detected for the first time in wild boars on the island.
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11
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Kvapil P, Račnik J, Kastelic M, Pittermannová P, Avšič-Zupanc T, Bártová E, Sedlák K. Detection of Antibodies Against Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus and Other Flaviviruses in a Zoological Collection in Slovenia. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:688904. [PMID: 34250069 PMCID: PMC8264250 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.688904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring infectious diseases is one of the most important pillars of preventative veterinary medicine in zoological collections. The zoo environment offers a great variety of different animal species living in proximity and in contact with small wild animals and vectors (e.g., ticks and mosquitos). In this context, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Usutu virus (USUV), and West Nile virus (WNV) causing vector-borne diseases are emerging pathogens that raise concern. The aim of the study was to detect antibodies to selected flaviviruses in various animal species in the Ljubljana Zoo, Slovenia. In total, 874 sera from 96 animal species were tested for antibodies to TBEV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA); positive samples were confirmed by a virus neutralization test (VNT) using TBEV, WNV, and USUV antigens. Antibodies to TBEV were detected by ELISA in 3.9% (34/874) of zoo animals, with 4% (30/753) in mammals and 5% (4/86) in birds; the sera of reptiles (n = 34) and amphibians (n = 1) were negative. Antibodies to TBEV were confirmed by VNT in 11 mammals; one bird was positive for both WNV and USUV. The mixture of exotic animal species and their contact with wild animals and vectors such as ticks and mosquitos suggest that screening of infectious diseases in zoo animals might provide good insight into the epizootological situation of the area. This is the first survey of TBEV, WNV, and USUV in a zoological collection in Slovenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Kvapil
- Ljubljana Zoo, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Joško Račnik
- Institute of Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals and Reptiles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Pavlína Pittermannová
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Tatjana Avšič-Zupanc
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eva Bártová
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Kamil Sedlák
- Department of Virology and Serology, State Veterinary Institute Prague, Prague, Czechia
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12
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Meurens F, Dunoyer C, Fourichon C, Gerdts V, Haddad N, Kortekaas J, Lewandowska M, Monchatre-Leroy E, Summerfield A, Wichgers Schreur PJ, van der Poel WHM, Zhu J. Animal board invited review: Risks of zoonotic disease emergence at the interface of wildlife and livestock systems. Animal 2021; 15:100241. [PMID: 34091225 PMCID: PMC8172357 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 19s pandemic has yet again demonstrated the importance of the human-animal interface in the emergence of zoonotic diseases, and in particular the role of wildlife and livestock species as potential hosts and virus reservoirs. As most diseases emerge out of the human-animal interface, a better understanding of the specific drivers and mechanisms involved is crucial to prepare for future disease outbreaks. Interactions between wildlife and livestock systems contribute to the emergence of zoonotic diseases, especially in the face of globalization, habitat fragmentation and destruction and climate change. As several groups of viruses and bacteria are more likely to emerge, we focus on pathogenic viruses of the Bunyavirales, Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, and Paramyxoviridae, as well as bacterial species including Mycobacterium sp., Brucella sp., Bacillus anthracis and Coxiella burnetii. Noteworthy, it was difficult to predict the drivers of disease emergence in the past, even for well-known pathogens. Thus, an improved surveillance in hotspot areas and the availability of fast, effective, and adaptable control measures would definitely contribute to preparedness. We here propose strategies to mitigate the risk of emergence and/or re-emergence of prioritized pathogens to prevent future epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Meurens
- INRAE, Oniris, BIOEPAR, 44307 Nantes, France; Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N5E3, Canada.
| | - Charlotte Dunoyer
- Direction de l'évaluation des risques, Anses, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Volker Gerdts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)-International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E3, Canada
| | - Nadia Haddad
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, BIPAR, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University and Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Marta Lewandowska
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Sensemattstrasse 293, 3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Artur Summerfield
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Sensemattstrasse 293, 3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
| | - Paul J Wichgers Schreur
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University and Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Wim H M van der Poel
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University and Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Jianzhong Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Comparative Medicine Research Institute, Yangzhou University, 225009 Yangzhou, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, 225009 Yangzhou, China
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13
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Clé M, Constant O, Barthelemy J, Desmetz C, Martin MF, Lapeyre L, Cadar D, Savini G, Teodori L, Monaco F, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Saiz JC, Gonzales G, Lecollinet S, Beck C, Gosselet F, Van de Perre P, Foulongne V, Salinas S, Simonin Y. Differential neurovirulence of Usutu virus lineages in mice and neuronal cells. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:11. [PMID: 33407600 PMCID: PMC7789689 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-02060-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging neurotropic arthropod-borne virus recently involved in massive die offs of wild birds predominantly reported in Europe. Although primarily asymptomatic or presenting mild clinical signs, humans infected by USUV can develop neuroinvasive pathologies (including encephalitis and meningoencephalitis). Similar to other flaviviruses, such as West Nile virus, USUV is capable of reaching the central nervous system. However, the neuropathogenesis of USUV is still poorly understood, and the virulence of the specific USUV lineages is currently unknown. One of the major complexities of the study of USUV pathogenesis is the presence of a great diversity of lineages circulating at the same time and in the same location. METHODS The aim of this work was to determine the neurovirulence of isolates from the six main lineages circulating in Europe using mouse model and several neuronal cell lines (neurons, microglia, pericytes, brain endothelial cells, astrocytes, and in vitro Blood-Brain Barrier model). RESULTS Our results indicate that all strains are neurotropic but have different virulence profiles. The Europe 2 strain, previously described as being involved in several clinical cases, induced the shortest survival time and highest mortality in vivo and appeared to be more virulent and persistent in microglial, astrocytes, and brain endothelial cells, while also inducing an atypical cytopathic effect. Moreover, an amino acid substitution (D3425E) was specifically identified in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain of the NS5 protein of this lineage. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these data show a broad neurotropism for USUV in the central nervous system with lineage-dependent virulence. Our results will help to better understand the biological and epidemiological diversity of USUV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Clé
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
| | - Orianne Constant
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
| | - Jonathan Barthelemy
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Desmetz
- BioCommunication en CardioMétabolique (BC2M), Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie France Martin
- Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Viral Trafficking, Restriction and Innate Signaling, Montpellier, France
| | - Lina Lapeyre
- Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Viral Trafficking, Restriction and Innate Signaling, Montpellier, France
| | - Daniel Cadar
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Giovanni Savini
- OIE Reference Centre for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale "G. Caporale", 46100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Liana Teodori
- OIE Reference Centre for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale "G. Caporale", 46100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Federica Monaco
- OIE Reference Centre for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale "G. Caporale", 46100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, 20359, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Universität Hamburg, 20148, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Gaëlle Gonzales
- UPE, Anses Animal Health Laboratory, UMR1161 Virology, INRA, Anses, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UPE, Anses Animal Health Laboratory, UMR1161 Virology, INRA, Anses, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Cécile Beck
- UPE, Anses Animal Health Laboratory, UMR1161 Virology, INRA, Anses, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Fabien Gosselet
- Blood-Brain Barrier Laboratory (BBB Lab), University of Artois, UR2465, F-62300, Lens, France
| | - Philippe Van de Perre
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Foulongne
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sara Salinas
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France
| | - Yannick Simonin
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France.
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14
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Constant O, Bollore K, Clé M, Barthelemy J, Foulongne V, Chenet B, Gomis D, Virolle L, Gutierrez S, Desmetz C, Moares RA, Beck C, Lecollinet S, Salinas S, Simonin Y. Evidence of Exposure to USUV and WNV in Zoo Animals in France. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9121005. [PMID: 33266071 PMCID: PMC7760666 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9121005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are zoonotic arboviruses. These flaviviruses are mainly maintained in the environment through an enzootic cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. Horses and humans are incidental, dead-end hosts, but can develop severe neurological disorders. Nevertheless, there is little data regarding the involvement of other mammals in the epidemiology of these arboviruses. In this study, we performed a serosurvey to assess exposure to these viruses in captive birds and mammals in a zoo situated in the south of France, an area described for the circulation of these two viruses. A total of 411 samples comprising of 70 species were collected over 16 years from 2003 to 2019. The samples were first tested by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The positive sera were then tested using virus-specific microneutralization tests against USUV and WNV. USUV seroprevalence in birds was 10 times higher than that of WNV (14.59% versus 1.46%, respectively). Among birds, greater rhea (Rhea Americana) and common peafowl (Pavo cristatus) exhibited the highest USUV seroprevalence. Infections occurred mainly between 2016-2018 corresponding to a period of high circulation of these viruses in Europe. In mammalian species, antibodies against WNV were detected in one dama gazelle (Nanger dama) whereas serological evidence of USUV infection was observed in several Canidae, especially in African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). Our study helps to better understand the exposure of captive species to WNV and USUV and to identify potential host species to include in surveillance programs in zoos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orianne Constant
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34000 Montpellier, France; (O.C.); (K.B.); (M.C.); (J.B.); (V.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Karine Bollore
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34000 Montpellier, France; (O.C.); (K.B.); (M.C.); (J.B.); (V.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Marion Clé
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34000 Montpellier, France; (O.C.); (K.B.); (M.C.); (J.B.); (V.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Jonathan Barthelemy
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34000 Montpellier, France; (O.C.); (K.B.); (M.C.); (J.B.); (V.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Vincent Foulongne
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34000 Montpellier, France; (O.C.); (K.B.); (M.C.); (J.B.); (V.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Baptiste Chenet
- Parc de Lunaret—Zoo de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (B.C.); (D.G.); (L.V.)
| | - David Gomis
- Parc de Lunaret—Zoo de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (B.C.); (D.G.); (L.V.)
| | - Laurie Virolle
- Parc de Lunaret—Zoo de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (B.C.); (D.G.); (L.V.)
| | | | - Caroline Desmetz
- bBioCommunication en CardioMétabolique (BC2M), Montpellier University, 34000 Montpellier, France;
| | - Rayane Amaral Moares
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (R.A.M.); (C.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Cécile Beck
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (R.A.M.); (C.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, EURL for Equine Diseases, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (R.A.M.); (C.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Sara Salinas
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34000 Montpellier, France; (O.C.); (K.B.); (M.C.); (J.B.); (V.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Yannick Simonin
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, 34000 Montpellier, France; (O.C.); (K.B.); (M.C.); (J.B.); (V.F.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)4-3435-9114
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15
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Petrovic T, Savic V, Barbic L, Tabain I, Stevanovic V, Klobucar A, Mrzljak A, Ilic M, Bogdanic M, Benvin I, Santini M, Capak K, Monaco F, Listes E, Savini G. Epidemiology of Usutu Virus: The European Scenario. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9090699. [PMID: 32858963 PMCID: PMC7560012 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9090699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging arbovirus isolated in 1959 (Usutu River, Swaziland). Previously restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, the virus was introduced in Europe in 1996. While the USUV has received little attention in Africa, the virus emergence has prompted numerous studies with robust epidemiological surveillance programs in Europe. The natural transmission cycle of USUV involves mosquitoes (vectors) and birds (amplifying hosts) with humans and other mammals considered incidental ("dead-end") hosts. In Africa, the virus was isolated in mosquitoes, rodents and birds and serologically detected in horses and dogs. In Europe, USUV was detected in bats, whereas antibodies were found in different animal species (horses, dogs, squirrels, wild boar, deer and lizards). While bird mortalities were not reported in Africa, in Europe USUV was shown to be highly pathogenic for several bird species, especially blackbirds (Turdus merula) and great gray owls (Strix nebulosa). Furthermore, neurotropism of USUV for humans was reported for the first time in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Epizootics and genetic diversity of USUV in different bird species as well as detection of the virus in mosquitoes suggest repeated USUV introductions into Europe with endemization in some countries. The zoonotic potential of USUV has been reported in a growing number of human cases. Clinical cases of neuroinvasive disease and USUV fever, as well as seroconversion in blood donors were reported in Europe since 2009. While most USUV strains detected in humans, birds and mosquitoes belong to European USUV lineages, several reports indicate the presence of African lineages as well. Since spreading trends of USUV are likely to continue, continuous multidisciplinary interventions ("One Health" concept) should be conducted for monitoring and prevention of this emerging arboviral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.T.); (M.B.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-1-4863-238
| | - Tamas Petrovic
- Department for Virology, Scientific Veterinary Institute, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Irena Tabain
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Ana Klobucar
- Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Anna Mrzljak
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Ilic
- Department of Epidemiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Iva Benvin
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Marija Santini
- Department for Intensive Care Medicine and Neuroinfectology, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr Fran Mihaljevic”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Krunoslav Capak
- Environmental Health Department, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Federica Monaco
- OIE Reference Center for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Eddy Listes
- Laboratory for Diagnostics, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Regional Institute Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Giovanni Savini
- OIE Reference Center for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.S.)
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16
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Caballero-Gómez J, Cano-Terriza D, Lecollinet S, Carbonell MD, Martínez-Valverde R, Martínez-Nevado E, García-Párraga D, Lowenski S, García-Bocanegra I. Evidence of exposure to zoonotic flaviviruses in zoo mammals in Spain and their potential role as sentinel species. Vet Microbiol 2020; 247:108763. [PMID: 32768215 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A serosurvey was carried out to assess emerging flavivirus exposure in zoo mammals in Spain and to determine the dynamics of seropositivity in species that were longitudinally sampled during the study period. Sera from 570 zoo animals belonging to 120 mammal species were collected at ten zoos (A-J) in Spain between 2002 and 2019. Twenty-one of these animals, belonging to ten different species, were sampled longitudinally at four of the zoos during the study period. Antigenically-related flavivirus antibodies were detected in 19 (3.3 %; 95 %CI: 2.0-5.2) of the 570 animals analyzed using bELISA. Seropositivity was observed in ten (8.3 %) of the 120 species tested. Five (23.8 %) of the 21 animals sampled more than once presented seropositivity in all samplings whereas seroconversion was only observed in one white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). Flavivirus antibodies were found at six of the ten sampled zoos and in consecutive years between 2008 and 2018. Virus neutralization tests confirmed West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection in ten (1.8 %; 95 %CI: 0.7-2.8), five (0.9 %; 95 %CI: 0.1-1.6) and one (0.2 %; 95 %CI: 0.0-0.5) animal, respectively. Antibodies against Meaban virus (0 %; 95 %CI: 0.0-0.7 %) were not found in the tested sera. The results demonstrate WNV, USUV and TBEV exposure in zoo mammals, which may be of public health and conservation concern. Seropositivity to WNV and USUV was detected in regions where these viruses have not been reported previously. Anti-WNV antibodies found in zoo animals sampled in 2009 point to WNV circulation at least one year before the first outbreaks were reported in horses and humans in Spain. Our results indicate that zoo mammals could be useful sentinel species for monitoring emerging flavivirus activity in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Caballero-Gómez
- Department of Animal Health, University of Cordoba, 14014, Cordoba, Spain; Infectious Diseases Unit, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses Research Group, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), University of Cordoba, 14006, Cordoba, Spain
| | - D Cano-Terriza
- Department of Animal Health, University of Cordoba, 14014, Cordoba, Spain.
| | - S Lecollinet
- ANSES Laboratoire de Santé Animale de Maisons-Alfort, UMR 1161 Virologie, INRAE, ANSES, ENVA, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - R Martínez-Valverde
- Veterinary and Conservation Department, Bioparc Fuengirola, 29640, Malaga, Spain
| | | | - D García-Párraga
- Research Department, Fundación Oceanogràfic de la Comunidad Valenciana, 46005, Valencia, Spain
| | - S Lowenski
- ANSES Laboratoire de Santé Animale de Maisons-Alfort, UMR 1161 Virologie, INRAE, ANSES, ENVA, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - I García-Bocanegra
- Department of Animal Health, University of Cordoba, 14014, Cordoba, Spain
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17
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Camino E, Schmid S, Weber F, Pozo P, de Juan L, König M, Cruz-Lopez F. Detection of antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis flaviviruses in breeding and sport horses from Spain. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101487. [PMID: 32723662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and louping-ill virus (LIV) are two closely related zoonotic flaviviruses leading to neurological diseases and belonging to the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) serocomplex. Both viruses are transmitted by the same ixodid tick vector, Ixodes ricinus. Due to global warming affecting vector biology and pathogen transmission, the viruses pose an emerging threat for public health in Europe and Asia. These flaviviruses share some hosts, like sheep, goats and humans, although the main hosts for LIV and TBEV are sheep and small rodents, respectively. Whereas LIV has been detected in Spanish sheep and goat herds, circulating antibodies against TBEV have only been reported in dogs and horses from particular regions in this country. The limited available information about the prevalence of these viruses in Spain led us to investigate the serological evidence of TBE flaviviruses in horses from Spain. Serum neutralization tests (SNT) were performed using sera from 495 breeding and sport horses collected during two periods (2011-2013 and 2015-2016). A seroprevalence of 3.1 % (95 % CI 1.5-4.6) was found and cross-reactivity with West Nile virus was excluded in the positive samples. Sport horses showed a significantly higher TBE serocomplex seropositivity compared to breeding horses. An increased seroprevalence was observed in the second sampling period (2015-2016). Our results demonstrate for the first time the presence of antibodies against TBE flaviviruses in horses residing in mainland Spain; further epidemiological surveys are necessary in order to understand and monitor the active transmission of TBE flaviviruses in this country and rule out the presence of other flaviviruses co-circulating in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Camino
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Animal Health Department, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Schmid
- Institute of Virology. Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - F Weber
- Institute of Virology. Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - P Pozo
- MAEVA SERVET, S.L., Alameda del Valle, Spain
| | - L de Juan
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Animal Health Department, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - M König
- Institute of Virology. Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - F Cruz-Lopez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
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18
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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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19
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Petruccelli A, Zottola T, Ferrara G, Iovane V, Di Russo C, Pagnini U, Montagnaro S. West Nile Virus and Related Flavivirus in European Wild Boar ( Sus scrofa), Latium Region, Italy: A Retrospective Study. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10030494. [PMID: 32188017 PMCID: PMC7143470 DOI: 10.3390/ani10030494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A retrospective sero-survey for evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in European wild boar (Sus scorfa) was conducted in the Latium region, Italy, on stored serum samples of the period November 2011 to January 2012. METHODS Sera were collected from 168 European wild boars and screened for antibodies to WNV and other Flaviviruses by competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). All sera positive for Flavivirus antibodies by cELISA were further examined by virus neutralization test (VNT). To test the presence of Flavivirus RNA in samples, an RT-PCR was performed using a pan-Flavivirus primers pair. RESULTS Thirteen wild boars (7.73%) were seropositive for Flaviviruses. The hemolysis of serum samples limited the interpretation of the VNT for 7 samples, confirming the presence of specific antibody against WNV in a single European wild boar serum sample. The presence of ELISA positive/VNT negative samples suggests the occurrence of non-neutralizing antibodies against WNV or other antigen-related Flaviviruses. No samples resulted positive for Flavivirus by RT-PCR assay. CONCLUSION Although a moderately high percentage of animals with specific antibody for WNV has been detected in wild boar in other surveillance studies in Europe, this has not been reported previously in Italy. Together, these data indicate that European wild boar are exposed to WNV and/or other related-Flavivirus in central Italy and confirm the usefulness of wild ungulates, as suitable Flavivirus sentinels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Petruccelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, 80137 Naples, Italy; (A.P.); (G.F.); (U.P.)
| | - Tiziana Zottola
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lazio e Toscana Regions, Section of Latina, 04100 Latina, Italy; (T.Z.); (C.D.R.)
| | - Gianmarco Ferrara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, 80137 Naples, Italy; (A.P.); (G.F.); (U.P.)
| | - Valentina Iovane
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy;
| | - Cristina Di Russo
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lazio e Toscana Regions, Section of Latina, 04100 Latina, Italy; (T.Z.); (C.D.R.)
| | - Ugo Pagnini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, 80137 Naples, Italy; (A.P.); (G.F.); (U.P.)
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, 80137 Naples, Italy; (A.P.); (G.F.); (U.P.)
- Correspondence: com; Tel.: +39-081-253-6178
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