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Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)2017; 17(5); 340-346; doi: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2042

Circulation of Zoonotic Arboviruses in Equine Populations of Mallorca Island (Spain).

Abstract: The presence of major arbovirus vector species, climate change that promotes the expansion and increase of their populations, and potential animal reservoirs mean that vector-borne diseases represent a significant health risk for Mallorca's inhabitants. Microbiological monitoring of circulating arboviruses, particularly flaviviruses causing encephalitis, was initiated using domestic horses from localities near wetlands as "sentinel" hosts. A total of 291 blood samples were taken from 172 horses between 2011 and 2012, using paired samples to highlight seroconversion events. A multiplex immunoassay and confirmatory reference serological assays were used to screen sera for immunoglobulin G antibodies against West Nile (WNV), Usutu (USUV), and tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV) viruses. The seroprevalence was 6.4% (confidence interval [95% CI] 3.2%-11.0%) for WNV, 1.2% (95% CI 0.1%-4.1%) for USUV, and 0.6% (95% CI 0.0%-3.2%) for TBEV. In addition, eight horses (4.6%; 95% CI 2.0%-8.9%) were found positive for unidentified flaviviruses. Seroconversion events were detected for WNV and USUV, reflecting recent arboviral infections. These results highlight the active transmission of zoonotic arboviruses in Mallorca wetlands.
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Publication Date: 2017-03-27 PubMed ID: 28346868DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2042Google 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 study indicates that zoonotic arboviruses, which are diseases transmitted from animals to humans, are actively transmitting in horses residing near wetlands in Mallorca, Spain. Surveillance of local horse populations found antibodies for West Nile (WNV), Usutu (USUV), and tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV) viruses, exposing a potential public health risk for the island’s inhabitants.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study focussed on the presence of zoonotic arboviruses in the equine population in Mallorca, Spain and gauged the potential health risk it posed to the local human population.
  • Microbiological surveillance was conducted on horses, especially those residing near wetlands, as they were considered “sentinel” hosts; animals used to detect risks to humans from zoonoses – diseases transferable from animals to humans.
  • The researchers collected 291 blood samples from 172 horses during 2011 and 2012 to monitor circulating arboviruses and identify seroconversion events which signal a recent infection and subsequent immune response.

Results and Analysis

  • Horses’ blood was screened for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against WNV, USUV, and TBEV using a multiplex immunoassay and confirmatory reference serological assays. The presence of IgG antibodies indicates previous exposure to these viruses.
  • The study found positive results, indicating the active transmission of zoonotic arboviruses in Mallorca. The seroprevalence was 6.4% for WNV, 1.2% for USUV, and 0.6% for TBEV, reflecting recent arboviral infections.
  • Also, eight horses were found to test positive for unidentified flaviviruses, a category which these arboviruses fall under.

Conclusion and Significance

  • Given the findings, it was concluded that zoonotic arboviruses are in active transmission in the wetlands of Mallorca, thus posing a potential health risk to people in the region.
  • Monitoring the disease prevalence in sentinel hosts, such as horses in this instance, can provide valuable information regarding the potential threat to human populations, especially in areas prone to the transmission of vector-borne diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Vanhomwegen J, Beck C, Desprès P, Figuerola A, García R, Lecollinet S, López-Roig M, Manuguerra JC, Serra-Cobo J. (2017). Circulation of Zoonotic Arboviruses in Equine Populations of Mallorca Island (Spain). Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 17(5), 340-346. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2016.2042

Publication

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1557-7759
NlmUniqueID: 100965525
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 5
Pages: 340-346

Researcher Affiliations

Vanhomwegen, Jessica
  • 1 Environment and Infectious Risks Research and Expertise Unit, Department of Infection and Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur , Paris, France .
Beck, Cécile
  • 2 UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory , EU-RL on Equine Diseases, UPE, Maisons-Alfort, France .
Desprès, Philippe
  • 3 UMR PIMIT (12T) Université de La Réunion , INSERM U1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, GIP-CYROI, Sainte-Clotilde, France .
Figuerola, Amanda
  • 4 Col·legi Oficial de Veterinaris de les Illes Balears , Mallorca, Spain .
García, Ramón
  • 4 Col·legi Oficial de Veterinaris de les Illes Balears , Mallorca, Spain .
Lecollinet, Sylvie
  • 2 UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory , EU-RL on Equine Diseases, UPE, Maisons-Alfort, France .
López-Roig, Marc
  • 5 Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, IRBIO, Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain .
  • 6 Centre de Recerca en Infeccions Víriques , Illes Balears (CRIVIB), Conselleria de Salut i Consum, Govern de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain .
Manuguerra, Jean-Claude
  • 1 Environment and Infectious Risks Research and Expertise Unit, Department of Infection and Epidemiology, Institut Pasteur , Paris, France .
Serra-Cobo, Jordi
  • 5 Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, IRBIO, Universitat de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain .
  • 6 Centre de Recerca en Infeccions Víriques , Illes Balears (CRIVIB), Conselleria de Salut i Consum, Govern de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain .

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Arbovirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Arbovirus Infections / veterinary
  • Arbovirus Infections / virology
  • Arboviruses / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Sentinel Surveillance
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Zoonoses

Citations

This article has been cited 19 times.
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