[Detection of circulation of West Nile virus in equine in the north-west of Tunisia].
Abstract: Two outbreaks of West Nile Fever (FWN) were observed in the Sahel of Tunisia in 1997 and 2003. Several cases of meningitis and meningoencephalitis have been described in humans during these two outbreaks. However, no animal or clinical findings or seroconversion have been detected despite a high seroprevalence in human beings found around the affected areas. Few data are available regarding the spreading of this virus in other parts of the country. The purpose of this study was to detect a possible WNV spread in horses in some areas of Tunisia considered to be at risk for WNV but which had not been affected by previous outbreaks. A total of 133 equine blood samples were collected in six delegations from three governorates in the north-west of Tunisia. A second blood sampling was taken from animals that were tested negative after the first sampling for IgG to identify possible seroconversion. Detection of IgG was done using competitive ELISA. A significant viral spread was detected in the study area. Out of 133 samples tested for IgG during the first sampling, 36 samples were tested positive (27.1%). Two seroconversions were detected between September and October 2008 out of 84 samples tested. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between the presence of a wetland within 10 km and seroconversion. The presence of cattle seems to be a protective factor.
Publication Date: 2011-10-15 PubMed ID: 22001953DOI: 10.1007/s13149-011-0173-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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- English Abstract
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates the spread of West Nile virus among horses in northwest Tunisia. Through the use of blood sample analysis, they detected a significant prevalence of the virus in the area.
Background and Purpose
- The researchers focus on the West Nile Fever (FWN) outbreaks that occurred in 1997 and 2003, particularly in the Sahel region of Tunisia. During these outbreaks, numerous human cases of meningitis and meningoencephalitis were reported.
- Despite high seroprevalence among humans in affected areas, there were no reports of either clinical findings or seroconversion among animals such as horses, a potential WNV host.
- The primary aim of this research is to examine the spread of West Nile virus (WNV) in regions of Tunisia considered high risk. Despite these regions not previously reporting outbreaks, this study hopes to detect any unnoticed or unreported spread.
Methodology
- The researchers collected blood samples from 133 horses from three different governorates in northwest Tunisia.
- In order to identify any potential seroconversion, a second blood sample was taken from horses that originally tested negative for WNV-specific IgG antibodies.
Findings and Results
- The samples were tested for IgG using competitive ELISA, a common technique in immunology used for detecting antibodies.
- From the first sample, they identified 36 positive results out of the 133 tested. This translates to a 27.1% seroprevalence, indicating a substantial spread of the virus in the study area.
- Two of the seroconversions were identified between September and October 2008 from the 84 samples tested.
Statistical Analysis
- The research found a significant correlation between seroconversion and proximity to a wetland, particularly for areas within 10 km.
- Interestingly, the presence of cattle appears to be a protective factor against WNV for horses, although the reason for this is not specified in the abstract.
Cite This Article
APA
Ben Hassine T, Hammami S, Elghoul H, Ghram A.
(2011).
[Detection of circulation of West Nile virus in equine in the north-west of Tunisia].
Bull Soc Pathol Exot, 104(4), 266-271.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13149-011-0173-1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre national de veille zoosanitaire, Tunis, Tunisie. benhassinethameur@yahoo.fr
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Cattle
- Disease Outbreaks
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Horses / virology
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G / blood
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Tunisia / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile virus / immunology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Mencattelli G, Ndione MHD, Rosà R, Marini G, Diagne CT, Diagne MM, Fall G, Faye O, Diallo M, Faye O, Savini G, Rizzoli A. Epidemiology of West Nile virus in Africa: An underestimated threat.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022 Jan;16(1):e0010075.
- Olufemi OT, Barba M, Daly JM. A Scoping Review of West Nile Virus Seroprevalence Studies among African Equids.. Pathogens 2021 Jul 15;10(7).
- Khamassi Khbou M, Romdhane R, Foughali AA, Sassi L, Suin V, Rekik M, Benzarti M. Presence of antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus in sheep in Tunisia, North Africa.. BMC Vet Res 2020 Nov 12;16(1):441.
- Monastiri A, Mechri B, Vázquez-González A, Ar Gouilh M, Chakroun M, Loussaief C, Mastouri M, Dimassi N, Boughzala L, Aouni M, Serra-Cobo J. A four-year survey (2011-2014) of West Nile virus infection in humans, mosquitoes and birds, including the 2012 meningoencephalitis outbreak in Tunisia.. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018 Mar 14;7(1):28.
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- Tmimi FZ, Faraj C, Bkhache M, Mounaji K, Failloux AB, Sarih M. Insecticide resistance and target site mutations (G119S ace-1 and L1014F kdr) of Culex pipiens in Morocco.. Parasit Vectors 2018 Jan 22;11(1):51.
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