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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Equine encephalomyelitis outbreak caused by a genetic lineag...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2011; 25(3); 586-591; doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0715.x

Equine encephalomyelitis outbreak caused by a genetic lineage 2 West Nile virus in Hungary.

Abstract: The spread of lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV) from sub-Saharan regions to Europe and the unpredictable change in pathogenicity indicate a potential public and veterinary health threat and requires scientific awareness. Objective: To describe the results of clinical and virological investigations of the 1st outbreak of a genetic lineage 2 WNV encephalomyelitis in horses. Methods: Seventeen horses with neurologic signs. Methods: Information regarding signalment, clinical signs, and outcome was obtained for each animal. Serology was performed in 15 cases, clinicopathological examination in 7 cases, and cerebrospinal fluid was collected from 2 horses. Histopathology was carried out in 4 horses, 2 of which were assessed for the presence of WNV in their nervous system. Results: WNV neutralizing antibody titers were between 10 and 270 (median, 90) and the results of other serological assays were in agreement with those of the plaque reduction neutralization test. Common signs included ataxia, weakness, asymmetric gait, muscle tremors, hypersensitivity, cranial nerve deficits, and recumbency. Twelve animals survived. Amplicons derived from the infection-positive specimens allowed molecular characterization of the viral strain. Conclusions: From our results, we conclude that this outbreak was caused by a lineage 2 WNV strain, even though such strains often are considered nonpathogenic. Neurological signs and survival rates were similar to those reported for lineage 1 virus infections. The disease occurrence was not geographically limited as had been the typical case during European outbreaks; this report describes a substantial northwestern spread of the pathogen.
Copyright © 2011 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2011-04-01 PubMed ID: 21457323DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0715.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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 study outlines an outbreak of Equine encephalomyelitis caused by a lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV) amongst horses in Hungary. Interestingly, the lineage 2 WNV strain, usually considered nonpathogenic, exhibited similar neurological symptoms and survival rates as the pathogenic lineage 1 virus infections in previous outbreaks.

Objective and Methodology

The objective of the research was to understand the clinical and virological aspects of the first outbreak of lineage 2 West Nile virus encephalomyelitis in horses. The study involved analysis on 17 horses showing neurological signs of the disease.

  • Data on each animal’s signalment, clinical signs, and outcome was collected.
  • Serology, the study of blood serum, was carried out on 15 horses.
  • A clinicopathological examination was conducted on 7 horses.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid was collected from 2 horses for analysis.
  • 4 horses underwent a histopathology examination, with 2 of these horses studied for presence of WNV in their nervous system.

Results

The findings showed that WNV neutralizing antibody titers in horses ranged between 10 and 270, with a median of 90. The symptoms most observed included ataxia, weakness, asymmetric gait, muscle tremors, hypersensitivity, cranial nerve deficits, and recumbency. Of the 17 horses affected, 12 survived.

Additionally, the viral strain was molecularly characterized through amplicons derived from the infection-positive specimens. This allowed the researchers to confirm that the virus, lineage 2 WNV, was indeed involved in the outbreak.

Conclusions

The findings concluded that the outbreak was caused by a lineage 2 WNV strain. This is noteworthy as such strains are typically considered nonpathogenic, yet the neurological signs and survival rates observed were on par with those reported for lineage 1 infection.

The research also noted that this outbreak indicated a geographic spread of the pathogen which was not typical in European outbreaks. This observed shift could be significant for future tracking and prevention strategies against such pathogens.

Cite This Article

APA
Kutasi O, Bakonyi T, Lecollinet S, Biksi I, Ferenczi E, Bahuon C, Sardi S, Zientara S, Szenci O. (2011). Equine encephalomyelitis outbreak caused by a genetic lineage 2 West Nile virus in Hungary. J Vet Intern Med, 25(3), 586-591. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0715.x

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 3
Pages: 586-591

Researcher Affiliations

Kutasi, O
  • Large Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, Ullo, Hungary. kutasi.orsolya@aotk.szie.hu
Bakonyi, T
    Lecollinet, S
      Biksi, I
        Ferenczi, E
          Bahuon, C
            Sardi, S
              Zientara, S
                Szenci, O

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
                  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
                  • Female
                  • Horse Diseases / blood
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / virology
                  • Horses
                  • Hungary / epidemiology
                  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
                  • Male
                  • Phylogeny
                  • West Nile Fever / blood
                  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
                  • West Nile Fever / veterinary
                  • West Nile Fever / virology
                  • West Nile virus / genetics
                  • West Nile virus / immunology
                  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

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