Evaluation of Cross-Protection of a Lineage 1 West Nile Virus Inactivated Vaccine against Natural Infections from a Virulent Lineage 2 Strain in Horses, under Field Conditions.
Abstract: Although experimental data regarding cross-protection of horse West Nile virus (WNV) vaccines against lineage 2 infections exist, the cross-protective efficacy of these vaccines under field conditions has not been demonstrated. This study was conducted to evaluate the capability of an inactivated lineage 1 vaccine (Equip WNV) to protect against natural infections from the Nea Santa-Greece-2010 lineage 2 strain. In total, 185 WNV-seronegative horses in Thessaloniki, Greece, were selected during 2 consecutive years (2011 and 2012); 140 were immunized, and 45 were used as controls. Horses were examined for signs compatible with WNV infection. Neutralizing antibody titers against the Greek strain and the PaAn001/France lineage 1 strain were determined in immunized horses. WNV circulation was detected during both years in the study area. It was estimated that 37% and 27% of the horses were infected during 2011 and 2012, respectively. Three control animals developed clinical signs, and the WNV diagnosis was confirmed. Signs related to WNV infection were not observed in the vaccinated animals. The nonvaccinated animals had a 7.58% ± 1.82% higher chance of exhibiting signs than immunized animals (P < 0.05). Neutralizing antibodies raised against both strains in all immunized horses were detectable 1 month after the initial vaccination course. The cross-protective capacity of the lowest titer (1:40) was evident in 19 animals which were subsequently infected and did not exhibit signs. Neutralizing antibodies were detectable until the annual booster, when strong anamnestic responses were observed (geometrical mean titer ratio [GMTR] for lineage 1 of 30.2; GMTR for lineage 2 of 27.5). The results indicate that Equip WNV is capable of inducing cross-protection against natural infections from a virulent lineage 2 WNV strain in horses.
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The research examines how effectively an inactive West Nile Virus (WNV) vaccine, designed for Lineage 1 of the virus, can protect horses from natural infections of a potent Lineage 2 strain under field conditions.
Research Context and Objective
The study acknowledges the experimental data on cross-protection of horse WNV vaccines against lineage 2 infections exists, but states a lack of evidence of such efficacy under field conditions. Thus, the research sought to gauge the capability of an inactivated lineage 1 vaccine, termed Equip WNV, to offer protection against natural infections by Nea Santa-Greece-2010, a lineage 2 strain.
Research Methodology
A total of 185 horses in Thessaloniki, Greece, which were WNV-seronegative, were selected over two consecutive years (2011 and 2012) for this study. Of these, 140 were immunized, and 45 were used as control subjects.
All the horses were monitored for signs of WNV infection. Neutralizing antibody titers against the Greek strain and the PaAn001/France lineage 1 strain were determined in the immunized horses.
Research Findings
There was evidence of WNV circulation in both studied years in the area. During 2011 and 2012, it was estimated that around 37% and 27% of the horses, respectively, got infected.
Out of the control animals, three developed clinical signs, and the WNV diagnosis was confirmed. However, signs related to WNV infection were not observed in the vaccinated animals. It was found that non-vaccinated animals had a 7.58% higher chance of exhibiting signs than immunized animals, which was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Neutralizing antibodies were raised against both lineage strains in all immunized horses, detectable 1 month after the initial vaccination course. The cross-protective capacity of the lowest titer (1:40) was evident in 19 vaccinated animals which were later infected but did not show clinical signs.
The neutralizing antibodies were detectable until the administration of the annual booster, when strong anamnestic responses were observed.
Conclusion
This study successfully demonstrated that the Equip WNV vaccine can induce cross-protection against natural infections from a potent lineage 2 WNV strain in horses. This provides supporting evidence in favor of its use in areas where Lineage 2 WNV strain is prevalent.
Cite This Article
APA
Chaintoutis SC, Diakakis N, Papanastassopoulou M, Banos G, Dovas CI.
(2015).
Evaluation of Cross-Protection of a Lineage 1 West Nile Virus Inactivated Vaccine against Natural Infections from a Virulent Lineage 2 Strain in Horses, under Field Conditions.
Clin Vaccine Immunol, 22(9), 1040-1049.
https://doi.org/10.1128/CVI.00302-15
Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Diakakis, Nikolaos
Equine Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Papanastassopoulou, Maria
Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Banos, Georgios
Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece SRUC, Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Science, Easter Bush, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Dovas, Chrysostomos I
Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece dovas@vet.auth.gr.
MeSH Terms
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
Antibodies, Viral / blood
Antibodies, Viral / immunology
Cross Protection
Greece
Horse Diseases / immunology
Horse Diseases / prevention & control
Horse Diseases / virology
Horses
Immunization Schedule
Sequence Alignment
Time Factors
Vaccines, Inactivated / administration & dosage
Vaccines, Inactivated / immunology
Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry
Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
West Nile Fever / immunology
West Nile Fever / prevention & control
West Nile Fever / veterinary
West Nile Fever / virology
West Nile Virus Vaccines / administration & dosage
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