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Home / Equine Research Bank / Transbound Emerg Dis / First detection of co-circulation of West Nile and Usutu vir...
Transboundary and emerging diseases2014; 61(5); 385-389; doi: 10.1111/tbed.12259

First detection of co-circulation of West Nile and Usutu viruses in equids in the south-west of Tunisia.

Abstract: In the last fifteen years, West Nile Virus (WNV) has dramatically expanded its geographic range and is now considered the most widespread arbovirus in the world. In Tunisia, West Nile Fever (WNF) outbreaks were reported in humans in 1997, 2003 and 2012. Usutu Virus (USUV), which is a 'new' emerging Flavivirus antigenically close to WNV, has never been reported in Tunisia. A serological investigation in 284 equids was conducted in 2012 in the southern west region of the country to assess the presence and prevalence of the WNV and USUV infection. Of the 284 samples tested by competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay, 129 were positive. Of these, 120 (42.3%) had WNV-specific neutralizing antibodies. The prevalence was significantly higher in areas closer to the oasis compared with that of the surrounding arid areas. Antibody titres against USUV were also reported in 10 equids. This was the first evidence of USUV circulation in Tunisia. Data recorded by this study indicate that WNV and USUV have circulated/are circulating in the region and that there is an urgent need to adapt the current surveillance programmes to this new scenario.
© 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-28 PubMed ID: 25065813DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12259Google 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.

This research discusses the first discovery of both West Nile Virus (WNV) and Usutu Virus (USUV) in horses in southwestern Tunisia. It suggests that these viruses are present in this region, and that monitoring and control measures need to adapt accordingly.

Overview of Research

In this study, researchers tested 284 equids (horses, donkeys, etc.) for the presence of WNV and USUV in the southwest region of Tunisia. The study was conducted in 2012 and focused on a geographical area where WNV had been reported in humans in previous years. The main intent of the study was to identify the presences and prevalence of WNV and USUV in the equid population in this region.

  • The study employed a competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay to test the samples.
  • It’s revealed that 129 out of the 284 samples tested positive.
  • Further analysis showed that 120 (or 42.3%) of these had WNV-specific neutralizing antibodies, suggesting WNV infection.

Geographical Factors

Interestingly, the study found the prevalence of WNV to be significantly higher in areas closer to oasis compared to those of surrounding arid areas. This suggests that local environmental factors may play a considerable role in the spread or prevention of these diseases.

Discovery of Usutu Virus

More remarkably, this study documented the first evidence of USUV, which is antigenically related to WNV, yet previously unreported in Tunisia. Antibody titres against USUV were found in 10 equids. This identifies a new health risk in the region, one that previous surveillance efforts had not been calibrated to detect.

Implications of the Findings

Given the discovery that both WNV and USUV have circulated/are circulating in the equid population of southwestern Tunisia, the study’s authors call for an urgent adjustment of the current surveillance programmes to adapt to this new scenario. Knowing the presence and spread of these viruses is critical for disease control and prevention, and for ensuring the health of both equid and human populations in these regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Ben Hassine T, De Massis F, Calistri P, Savini G, BelHaj Mohamed B, Ranen A, Di Gennaro A, Sghaier S, Hammami S. (2014). First detection of co-circulation of West Nile and Usutu viruses in equids in the south-west of Tunisia. Transbound Emerg Dis, 61(5), 385-389. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.12259

Publication

Transboundary and emerging diseases
ISSN: 1865-1682
NlmUniqueID: 101319538
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 5
Pages: 385-389

Researcher Affiliations

Ben Hassine, T
  • Centre National de Veille Zoosanitaire, Tunis, Tunisie.
De Massis, F
    Calistri, P
      Savini, G
        BelHaj Mohamed, B
          Ranen, A
            Di Gennaro, A
              Sghaier, S
                Hammami, S

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
                  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
                  • Coinfection
                  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
                  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
                  • Flavivirus / classification
                  • Flavivirus / isolation & purification
                  • Horse Diseases / blood
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / virology
                  • Horses
                  • Humans
                  • Tunisia / epidemiology
                  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
                  • West Nile Fever / veterinary

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