First serological evidence of West Nile virus activity in horses in Serbia.
Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV), the most widely distributed flavivirus worldwide, has lately reemerged in Europe, causing worrisome outbreaks in humans and horses. Serological analysis by enzyme-linked immunoassay and plaque reduction neutralization test showed for the first time in Serbia that 12% of 349 horses presented specific neutralizing WNV antibodies, which in one case also cross-neutralized Usutu virus (USUV). This is the first time that anti-USUV high neutralizing antibody titers are reported in horses. All these data indicate that WNV and USUV are circulating in the region and advise on the convenience of implementing surveillance programs.
Publication Date: 2011-03-25 PubMed ID: 21438694DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0249Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Antibodies
- Disease control
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Surveillance
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
- Epidemiology
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Infectious Disease
- Mosquito-borne Diseases
- Public Health
- Serodiagnosis
- Serological Surveys
- Seroprevalence
- Vector-borne disease
- Veterinary Medicine
- Virology
- Virus
- West Nile Virus
Summary
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The research article presents the first proof of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) activity in horses in Serbia, calling for surveillance programs to control the spread.
Understanding the Purpose of the Research
- The study was conducted primarily with the aim to discover presence and track the spread of West Nile Virus and Usutu virus in the horse population of Serbia.
- West Nile virus is a flavivirus, which has sparked substantial concern due to its reemergence in Europe, causing outbreaks in humans and horses.
- Usutu virus is also a flavivirus and causes disease in birds and humans. However, high anti-USUV neutralizing antibodies are discovered in horses for the first time through this research.
Methodology Employed in the Research
- The researchers carried out a serological analysis, studying blood serum to detect the presence of specific neutralizing WNV and USUV antibodies. These antibodies are immune responses to viruses, suggesting the presence of the viruses in the organism.
- The study used techniques like enzyme-linked immunoassay and plaque reduction neutralization test. These are standard diagnostic tools that help evaluate if an animal has been exposed to certain diseases by detecting associated antibodies.
Noteworthy Outcomes of the Research
- The study led to an important first-time discovery that 12% of 349 horses tested in Serbia showed specific neutralizing WNV antibodies, clearly indicating that the virus had been present in these horses.
- It also revealed that one case cross-neutralized the Usutu virus. This implies that the antibodies produced by the horse’s immune system were effective against both WNV and USUV.
Implications and Recommendations from the Study
- The presence of these viruses in the horse population indicates that these flaviviruses are circulating in the region. This is a significant finding, as these can cause disease in other species including humans as well.
- The researchers recommend that there is a need for implementing surveillance programs. These would help in controlling the spread of these viruses and in preventing larger outbreaks.
Cite This Article
APA
(2011).
First serological evidence of West Nile virus activity in horses in Serbia.
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 11(9), 1303-1305.
https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2010.0249 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Flavivirus / immunology
- Flavivirus / isolation & purification
- Horses / virology
- Immunoglobulin G / blood
- Serbia
- West Nile virus / immunology
- West Nile virus / isolation & purification
- West Nile virus / metabolism
Citations
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