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Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)2018; 18(4); 206-213; doi: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2216

A Serosurvey of Flavivirus Infection in Horses and Birds in Slovakia.

Abstract: In central Europe, at least three flaviviruses circulate among vectors and vertebrate hosts. West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are mosquito-borne viruses maintained in the nature by enzootic cycle between mosquitoes and birds. Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a flavivirus causing annual human cases in Slovakia. The aim of this study is the prevalence assessment of flavivirus infections in horses (n = 145) and birds (n = 109) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmation by neutralization test (VNT). WNV antibodies have been detected in 11.7% of tested horses and 11.9% of tested birds and confirmed in 6.9% of horse and 9.2% of bird samples. None of the WNV seropositive or dubious horses had WNV IgM (ELISA), and none of the tested horses had USUV neutralizing antibodies. Autochthonous WNV infections have been confirmed in 16.7% of horses without international travelling history. Most of them were from western Slovakia with known endemic WNV transmission. An autochthonous WNV infection in a horse from highland area of Kremnické vrchy (central Slovakia) with unknown data of WNV circulation and without travelling history was detected. TBEV antibody was detected in 6.2% of horses and in 3.4% has been confirmed. In two horses, WNV and TBEV infection could not be distinguished. Confirmed WNV seropositive were eight raptors showing nonspecific signs or suffering from trauma, one white stork, and one house sparrow. The sparrow was caught in a locality in eastern Slovakia, where WNV RNA had been previously detected in sparrows. USUV neutralizing antibodies were present in pooled sample from four Eurasian great tits. Because of insufficient volume, TBEV VNT was not carried out in birds. Results further prove the endemicity of WNV and other vector-borne flaviviruses in natural and accidental hosts in Slovakia, giving better insight in flavivirus epidemiology in European countries in general.
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Publication Date: 2018-02-13 PubMed ID: 29437548DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2216Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates the presence and prevalence of flaviviruses, particularly West Nile Virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV) and Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in horses and birds in Slovakia. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and neutralization tests, the study confirmed the endemic presence of these viruses, shedding more light on the epidemiology of flaviviruses in Europe.

Background

  • The article starts by setting the context of the study, discussing the presence of at least three different flaviviruses—WNV, USUV, and TBEV—in Central Europe. These viruses circulate among vectors (insect carriers) and vertebrate hosts such as birds and horses.
  • WNV and USUV are mosquito-borne viruses, with birds as their primary hosts. TBEV, on the other hand, is transmitted by ticks and is known to cause regular human cases in Slovakia.

Aim of the Study

  • The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of these flaviviruses in horse and bird populations in Slovakia. To this end, they tested blood samples from 145 horses and 109 birds using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed results through a virus neutralization test (VNT).

Results

  • Results showed the presence of WNV antibodies in about 11% tested horses and birds. However, neutralization tests confirmed the presence of the virus in only 7% of horse and 9% of bird samples.
  • None of the WNV-positive horses had recent infections as indicated by the absence of WNV IgM. None of the horses tested positive for USUV antibodies as well.
  • The study also confirmed the autochthonous, or locally acquired, WNV infections in horses with no international travel history.

Other Observations

  • The researchers found TBEV antibodies in 6.2% of horses.
  • Due to volume restrictions, the researchers were unable to conduct TBEV VNT in birds.
  • Few birds, including raptors, a white stork, and a house sparrow, were confirmed WNV seropositive.
  • USUV neutralizing antibodies were detected in a pooled sample from four Eurasian great tits.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that the results further establish the endemic presence of WNV and other vector-borne flaviviruses in Slovakia. The findings provide valuable insights into flavivirus epidemiology in Europe, aiding in better understanding and potentially managing these diseases for public and animal health.

Cite This Article

APA
Csank T, Drzewnioková P, Korytár Ľ, Major P, Gyuranecz M, Pistl J, Bakonyi T. (2018). A Serosurvey of Flavivirus Infection in Horses and Birds in Slovakia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 18(4), 206-213. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2017.2216

Publication

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1557-7759
NlmUniqueID: 100965525
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 4
Pages: 206-213

Researcher Affiliations

Csank, Tomáš
  • 1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice , Košice, Slovakia .
Drzewnioková, Petra
  • 1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice , Košice, Slovakia .
Korytár, Ľuboš
  • 2 Department of Environment, Veterinary Legislation and Economy, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice , Košice, Slovakia .
Major, Peter
  • 3 Department of Clinic for Birds and Exotic Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice , Košice, Slovakia .
Gyuranecz, Miklós
  • 4 Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, MTA Centre for Agricultural Research , Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary .
Pistl, Juraj
  • 1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice , Košice, Slovakia .
Bakonyi, Tamás
  • 5 Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine , Budapest, Hungary .
  • 6 Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna, Vienna, Austria .

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Bird Diseases / epidemiology
  • Bird Diseases / virology
  • Birds / immunology
  • Birds / virology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flavivirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Flavivirus Infections / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses / immunology
  • Horses / virology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Slovakia

Citations

This article has been cited 27 times.
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