FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2014-07-28 PubMed ID: 25065813DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12259Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 39 times.
                  1. M'ghirbi Y, Mousson L, Moutailler S, Lecollinet S, Amaral R, Beck C, Aounallah H, Amara M, Chabchoub A, Rhim A, Failloux AB, Bouattour A. West Nile, Sindbis and Usutu Viruses: Evidence of Circulation in Mosquitoes and Horses in Tunisia. Pathogens 2023 Feb 21;12(3).
                    doi: 10.3390/pathogens12030360pubmed: 36986282google scholar: lookup
                  2. Akinsulie OC, Adesola RO, Bakre A, Adebowale OO, Adeleke R, Ogunleye SC, Oladapo IP. Usutu virus: An emerging flavivirus with potential threat to public health in Africa: Nigeria as a case study. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1115501.
                    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1115501pubmed: 36875996google scholar: lookup
                  3. Nebbak A, Almeras L, Parola P, Bitam I. Mosquito Vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) and Mosquito-Borne Diseases in North Africa. Insects 2022 Oct 20;13(10).
                    doi: 10.3390/insects13100962pubmed: 36292910google scholar: lookup
                  4. Ganzenberg S, Sieg M, Ziegler U, Pfeffer M, Vahlenkamp TW, Hörügel U, Groschup MH, Lohmann KL. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Equine West Nile Virus Infections in Eastern Germany, 2020. Viruses 2022 May 30;14(6).
                    doi: 10.3390/v14061191pubmed: 35746662google scholar: lookup
                  5. Olufemi OT, Barba M, Daly JM. A Scoping Review of West Nile Virus Seroprevalence Studies among African Equids. Pathogens 2021 Jul 15;10(7).
                    doi: 10.3390/pathogens10070899pubmed: 34358049google scholar: lookup
                  6. Pérez-Ramírez E, Cano-Gómez C, Llorente F, Vodica A, Veljović L, Toklikishvilli N, Sherifi K, Sghaier S, Omani A, Kustura A, Krstevski K, Karayel-Hacioglu I, Hagag NM, El Hage J, Davdyan H, Bintarif MS, Adzic B, Abouchoaib N, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Fernández-Pinero J. Evaluation of West Nile Virus Diagnostic Capacities in Veterinary Laboratories of the Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions. Pathogens 2020 Dec 11;9(12).
                    doi: 10.3390/pathogens9121038pubmed: 33322276google scholar: lookup
                  7. Constant O, Bollore K, Clé M, Barthelemy J, Foulongne V, Chenet B, Gomis D, Virolle L, Gutierrez S, Desmetz C, Moares RA, Beck C, Lecollinet S, Salinas S, Simonin Y. Evidence of Exposure to USUV and WNV in Zoo Animals in France. Pathogens 2020 Nov 30;9(12).
                    doi: 10.3390/pathogens9121005pubmed: 33266071google scholar: lookup
                  8. 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.
                    doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02651-6pubmed: 33183295google scholar: lookup
                  9. Benzarti E, Garigliany M. In Vitro and In Vivo Models to Study the Zoonotic Mosquito-Borne Usutu Virus. Viruses 2020 Sep 30;12(10).
                    doi: 10.3390/v12101116pubmed: 33008141google scholar: lookup
                  10. Bohers C, Mousson L, Madec Y, Vazeille M, Rhim A, M'ghirbi Y, Bouattour A, Failloux AB. The recently introduced Aedes albopictus in Tunisia has the potential to transmit chikungunya, dengue and Zika viruses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 Oct;14(10):e0008475.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008475pubmed: 33007002google scholar: lookup
                  11. Schvartz G, Tirosh-Levy S, Erester O, Shenhar R, Levy H, Bazanow B, Gelman B, Steinman A. Exposure of Horses in Israel to West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus. Viruses 2020 Sep 28;12(10).
                    doi: 10.3390/v12101099pubmed: 32998459google scholar: lookup
                  12. Vilibic-Cavlek T, Petrovic T, Savic V, Barbic L, Tabain I, Stevanovic V, Klobucar A, Mrzljak A, Ilic M, Bogdanic M, Benvin I, Santini M, Capak K, Monaco F, Listes E, Savini G. Epidemiology of Usutu Virus: The European Scenario. Pathogens 2020 Aug 26;9(9).
                    doi: 10.3390/pathogens9090699pubmed: 32858963google scholar: lookup
                  13. Chevalier V, Marsot M, Molia S, Rasamoelina H, Rakotondravao R, Pedrono M, Lowenski S, Durand B, Lecollinet S, Beck C. Serological Evidence of West Nile and Usutu Viruses Circulation in Domestic and Wild Birds in Wetlands of Mali and Madagascar in 2008. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Mar 18;17(6).
                    doi: 10.3390/ijerph17061998pubmed: 32197367google scholar: lookup
                  14. Clé M, Beck C, Salinas S, Lecollinet S, Gutierrez S, Van de Perre P, Baldet T, Foulongne V, Simonin Y. Usutu virus: A new threat?. Epidemiol Infect 2019 Jan;147:e232.
                    doi: 10.1017/S0950268819001213pubmed: 31364580google scholar: lookup
                  15. Roesch F, Fajardo A, Moratorio G, Vignuzzi M. Usutu Virus: An Arbovirus on the Rise. Viruses 2019 Jul 12;11(7).
                    doi: 10.3390/v11070640pubmed: 31336826google scholar: lookup
                  16. Hachid A, Beloufa MA, Seghier M, Bahoura N, Dia M, Fall G, Sall AA. Evidence of West Nile virus circulation among humans in central northern Algeria. New Microbes New Infect 2019 May;29:100512.
                    doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2019.01.008pubmed: 30984402google scholar: lookup
                  17. Diagne MM, Ndione MHD, Di Paola N, Fall G, Bedekelabou AP, Sembène PM, Faye O, Zanotto PMA, Sall AA. Usutu Virus Isolated from Rodents in Senegal. Viruses 2019 Feb 21;11(2).
                    doi: 10.3390/v11020181pubmed: 30795524google scholar: lookup
                  18. Beck C, Leparc-Goffart I, Desoutter D, Debergé E, Bichet H, Lowenski S, Dumarest M, Gonzalez G, Migné C, Vanhomwegen J, Zientara S, Durand B, Lecollinet S. Serological evidence of infection with dengue and Zika viruses in horses on French Pacific Islands. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 Feb;13(2):e0007162.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007162pubmed: 30730887google scholar: lookup
                  19. Eybpoosh S, Fazlalipour M, Baniasadi V, Pouriayevali MH, Sadeghi F, Ahmadi Vasmehjani A, Karbalaie Niya MH, Hewson R, Salehi-Vaziri M. Epidemiology of West Nile Virus in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 Jan;13(1):e0007081.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007081pubmed: 30695031google scholar: lookup
                  20. Lafri I, Hachid A, Bitam I. West Nile virus in Algeria: a comprehensive overview. New Microbes New Infect 2019 Jan;27:9-13.
                    doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2018.10.002pubmed: 30519477google scholar: lookup
                  21. Oluwayelu D, Adebiyi A, Tomori O. Endemic and emerging arboviral diseases of livestock in Nigeria: a review. Parasit Vectors 2018 Jun 7;11(1):337.
                    doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-2911-8pubmed: 29880024google scholar: lookup
                  22. 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.
                    doi: 10.1038/s41426-018-0028-ypubmed: 29535295google scholar: lookup
                  23. Ayadi T, Hammouda A, Poux A, Boulinier T, Lecollinet S, Selmi S. Evidence of exposure of laughing doves (Spilopelia senegalensis) to West Nile and Usutu viruses in southern Tunisian oases. Epidemiol Infect 2017 Oct;145(13):2808-2816.
                    doi: 10.1017/S0950268817001789pubmed: 28803560google scholar: lookup
                  24. Failloux AB, Bouattour A, Faraj C, Gunay F, Haddad N, Harrat Z, Jancheska E, Kanani K, Kenawy MA, Kota M, Pajovic I, Paronyan L, Petric D, Sarih M, Sawalha S, Shaibi T, Sherifi K, Sulesco T, Velo E, Gaayeb L, Victoir K, Robert V. Surveillance of Arthropod-Borne Viruses and Their Vectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions Within the MediLabSecure Network. Curr Trop Med Rep 2017;4(1):27-39.
                    doi: 10.1007/s40475-017-0101-ypubmed: 28386524google scholar: lookup
                  25. Humphrey JM, Cleton NB, Reusken CB, Glesby MJ, Koopmans MP, Abu-Raddad LJ. Dengue in the Middle East and North Africa: A Systematic Review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016 Dec;10(12):e0005194.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005194pubmed: 27926925google scholar: lookup
                  26. Barr KL, Anderson BD, Prakoso D, Long MT. Working with Zika and Usutu Viruses In Vitro. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016 Aug;10(8):e0004931.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004931pubmed: 27541001google scholar: lookup
                  27. Ashraf U, Ye J, Ruan X, Wan S, Zhu B, Cao S. Usutu virus: an emerging flavivirus in Europe. Viruses 2015 Jan 19;7(1):219-38.
                    doi: 10.3390/v7010219pubmed: 25606971google scholar: lookup
                  28. Barhoumi W, Khedhiri M, M'Ghirbi Y, Bougatef S, Touzi H, Rhim A, Karray H, Trabelsi A, Mastouri M, Hannachi N, Bouattour A, Triki H, Ben Alaya NB, Fares W. Surveillance of West Nile Virus in Tunisia: Evidence from Human and Entomological Investigation. Viruses 2025 Nov 29;17(12).
                    doi: 10.3390/v17121562pubmed: 41472233google scholar: lookup
                  29. Badr C, Handous M, Nsiri J, ElBehi I, Arbi M, Maaroufi A, Bennour MA, Ben Osman R, Dachraoui K, Abbes M, Mahmoudi A, Khosrof I, Abrougui S, Lachheb J, Zhioua E, Larbi I. First report of West Nile virus infections in horses in Tunisia from 2018 to 2023. Virol J 2025 Oct 1;22(1):318.
                    doi: 10.1186/s12985-025-02918-0pubmed: 41035042google scholar: lookup
                  30. Sohier C, Breman FC, Vervaeke M, De Regge N. West Nile Virus Monitoring in Flanders (Belgium) During 2022-2023 Reveals Endemic Usutu Virus Circulation in Birds. Transbound Emerg Dis 2024;2024:4146156.
                    doi: 10.1155/tbed/4146156pubmed: 40303116google scholar: lookup
                  31. Chevalier N, Migné CV, Mariteragi-Helle T, Dumarest M, De Mas M, Chevrier M, Queré E, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Lupo C, Bigeard C, Touzet T, Leblond A, Durand B, Depecker M, Gonzalez G. Seroprevalence of West Nile, Usutu and tick-borne encephalitis viruses in equids from south-western France in 2023. Vet Res 2025 Apr 24;56(1):91.
                    doi: 10.1186/s13567-025-01508-wpubmed: 40275349google scholar: lookup
                  32. Ouni A, Aounallah H, Rebai WK, Llorente F, Chendoul W, Hammami W, Rhim A, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Pérez-Ramírez E, Bouattour A, M'Ghirbi Y. The Role of Ruminants as Sentinel Animals in the Circulation of the West Nile Virus in Tunisia. Pathogens 2025 Mar 8;14(3).
                    doi: 10.3390/pathogens14030267pubmed: 40137752google scholar: lookup
                  33. Ndione MHD, Diagne MM, Mencattelli G, Diallo A, Ndiaye EH, Di Domenico M, Diallo D, Kane M, Curini V, Top NM, Marcacci M, Sankhe S, Ancora M, Secondini B, Di Lollo V, Teodori L, Leone A, Puglia I, Gaye A, Sall AA, Loucoubar C, Rosà R, Diallo M, Monaco F, Faye O, Cammà C, Rizzoli A, Savini G, Faye O. An amplicon-based sequencing approach for Usutu virus characterization. Virol J 2024 Jul 23;21(1):163.
                    doi: 10.1186/s12985-024-02426-7pubmed: 39044231google scholar: lookup
                  34. Prat M, Jeanneau M, Rakotoarivony I, Duhayon M, Simonin Y, Savini G, Labbé P, Alout H. Virulence and transmission vary between Usutu virus lineages in Culex pipiens. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024 Jun;18(6):e0012295.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012295pubmed: 38935783google scholar: lookup
                  35. Nurmukanova V, Matsvay A, Gordukova M, Shipulin G. Square the Circle: Diversity of Viral Pathogens Causing Neuro-Infectious Diseases. Viruses 2024 May 15;16(5).
                    doi: 10.3390/v16050787pubmed: 38793668google scholar: lookup
                  36. Rusenova N, Rusenov A, Chervenkov M, Sirakov I. Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus among Equids in Bulgaria in 2022 and Assessment of Some Risk Factors. Vet Sci 2024 May 9;11(5).
                    doi: 10.3390/vetsci11050209pubmed: 38787181google scholar: lookup
                  37. Simonin Y. Circulation of West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Europe: Overview and Challenges. Viruses 2024 Apr 12;16(4).
                    doi: 10.3390/v16040599pubmed: 38675940google scholar: lookup
                  38. Krambrich J, Bole-Feysot E, Höller P, Lundkvist Å, Hesson JC. Vector competence of Swedish Culex pipiens mosquitoes for Usutu virus. One Health 2024 Jun;18:100707.
                    doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100707pubmed: 38500563google scholar: lookup
                  39. Bergmann F, Holicki CM, Michel F, Bock S, Scuda N, Priemer G, Kenklies S, Siempelkamp T, Skuballa J, Sauerwald C, Herms L, Muluneh A, Peters M, Hlinak A, Groschup MH, Sadeghi B, Ziegler U. Reconstruction of the molecular evolution of Usutu virus in Germany: Insights into virus emersion and circulation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023 Oct;17(10):e0011203.
                    doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011203pubmed: 37782665google scholar: lookup
                  Subscribe to our newsletter
                  Join 99,824 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.