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Viruses2022; 14(9); doi: 10.3390/v14091846

Epidemiological Study of Multiple Zoonotic Mosquito-Borne Alphaviruses in Horses in Queensland, Australia (2018-2020).

Abstract: The increased frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change has complicated the epidemiological pattern of mosquito-borne diseases, as the host and vector dynamics shift to adapt. However, little is known about the seroprevalence of common mosquito-borne virus infections in horses in Australia. In this study, serological surveys for multiple alphaviruses were performed on samples taken from 622 horses across two horse populations (racehorses and horses residing on The University of Queensland (UQ) campus) in Queensland using the gold standard virus neutralization test. As is the case in humans across Australia, Ross River virus (RRV) is the most common arbovirus infection in horses, followed by Barmah Forest virus, with an overall apparent seroprevalence of 48.6% (302/622) and 4.3% (26/607), respectively. Horses aged over 6 years old (OR 1.86, p = 0.01) and residing at UQ (OR 5.8, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with seroconversion to RRV. A significant medium correlation (r = 0.626, p < 0.001) between RRV and Getah virus (GETV) neutralizing antibody titers was identified. Collectively, these results advance the current epidemiological knowledge of arbovirus exposure in a susceptible host in Australia. The potential use of horses as sentinels for arbovirus monitoring should be considered. Furthermore, since GETV is currently exotic to Australia, antibodies cross-reactivity between RRV and GETV should be further investigated for cross-protection, which may also help to inform vaccine developments.
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Publication Date: 2022-08-23 PubMed ID: 36146651PubMed Central: PMC9504300DOI: 10.3390/v14091846Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • 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.

The research article is about a study conducted on the prevalence of mosquito-borne virus infections in horses in Queensland, Australia, focusing on multiple alphaviruses. The study aims to contribute to the current epidemiological understanding of these infections and consider the potential use of horses as sentinels for monitoring mosquito-borne viruses.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary aim of this study was to understand the prevalence of multiple alphaviruses in horses, a critical step in combating mosquito-borne diseases. Unlike previous studies, this investigation specifically looked at two horse populations in Queensland, Australia: racehorses and horses living on the University of Queensland campus.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted serological surveys for multiple alphaviruses on samples collected from 622 horses. The seroprevalence of the viruses was determined using the virus neutralization test, which is a gold standard diagnostic tool.

Results

  • The examination found Ross River virus (RRV) to be the most widespread arbovirus infection in horses, with an overall seroprevalence of 48.6%. Barmah Forest virus followed, with a significantly lower seroprevalence rate of 4.3%.
  • When results were broken down by population, it was clear that older horses (above six years) and those residing at the University of Queensland had a higher likelihood of seroconversion to RRV.
  • The study also found a significant medium correlation between RRV and Getah virus (GETV) neutralizing antibody titers, indicating a potential cross-reactivity between these two viruses.

Implications

  • The results of this study add to the current epidemiological understanding of arbovirus exposure in Australia, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring in susceptible horse populations.
  • Horses could serve as effective sentinels or early warning systems for arbovirus monitoring, according to the research. This approach could be beneficial, especially in areas where these viruses present a significant health threat.
  • Since GETV is not native to Australia, further research into the detected antibodies cross-reactivity between RRV and GETV is recommended. This could assist in understanding possible cross-protection between these viruses and inform future vaccine development.

Cite This Article

APA
Yuen KY, Henning J, Eng MD, Wang ASW, Lenz MF, Caldwell KM, Coyle MP, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H. (2022). Epidemiological Study of Multiple Zoonotic Mosquito-Borne Alphaviruses in Horses in Queensland, Australia (2018-2020). Viruses, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/v14091846

Publication

Viruses
ISSN: 1999-4915
NlmUniqueID: 101509722
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 9

Researcher Affiliations

Yuen, Ka Y
  • School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Henning, Joerg
  • School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Eng, Melodie D
  • School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Wang, Althea S W
  • School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Lenz, Martin F
  • Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, Brisbane, QLD 4010, Australia.
Caldwell, Karen M
  • Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, Brisbane, QLD 4010, Australia.
Coyle, Mitchell P
  • Equine Unit, Office of the Director Gatton Campus, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle
  • School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia.
  • School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
  • Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Alphavirus
  • Alphavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Alphavirus Infections / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Australia
  • Child
  • Culicidae
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Mosquito Vectors
  • Queensland / epidemiology
  • Ross River virus
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Vaccines

Conflict of Interest Statement

H.B-O. is the proprietor of the consultancy firm BIOHMPATHOLOGY. All other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Huang J, Song D, Wei J, Xie B, Yang Q, Xu J, Zhang F. First report on identification and genetic characterization of Getah virus in wild boar in China. Front Microbiol 2025;16:1583023.
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  2. Yuen NKY, Harrison JJ, Wang ASW, McMahon IE, Habarugira G, Coyle MP, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H. Orthoflavivirus circulation in South-East Queensland, Australia, before and during the 2021-2022 incursion of Japanese encephalitis virus assessed through sero-epidemiological survey of a sentinel equine population. One Health 2024 Dec;19:100930.
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