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Home / Equine Research Bank / Transbound Emerg Dis / Molecular and Serological Surveillance of Mosquito-Borne Vir...
Transboundary and emerging diseases2025; 2025; 6131435; doi: 10.1155/tbed/6131435

Molecular and Serological Surveillance of Mosquito-Borne Viruses in Racehorses or Mosquitoes From Horse Farms in Shanghai, China, 2022.

Abstract: Getah virus (GETV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus (WNV), and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) are mosquito-borne viruses threatening the health of racehorses. However, the systematic surveillance of these viruses among Shanghai racehorses remains lacking. Therefore, molecular and serological surveillance was conducted for these viruses in racehorses and mosquitoes at horse farms in Shanghai, China, during 2022 to assess their prevalence. Among 11,140 mosquitoes collected from seven farms across four districts, and were identified as the dominant species. RT-qPCR detected GETV in four mosquito pools (FX1-6, PD1-32, PD1-45, and PD1-57) and JEV in three pools (SJ1-4, PD1-22, and JS1-9), while WNV and AHSV remained undetected. Two GETV strains (SH202201 and SH202202) were isolated and phylogenetically classified as genotype III (GIII). Serological surveys of 182 horse serum samples revealed an overall GETV antibody positivity rate of 28.6%. The positivity rate demonstrated significant age-dependency (41.7% in horses >15 years) and seasonal variation (45.1% in autumn vs. 12.1% in spring). JEV seroprevalence rates were 12.6%, exhibiting significant seasonal differences. No antibodies positive for WNV and AHSV were detected. These results indicate that the threat of WNV and AHSV to racehorses in Shanghai is currently very small, while GETV represents the primary arboviral risk. Implementing targeted surveillance for GETV during high-risk seasons (autumn) and in key regions (Fengxian), while enhancing surveillance for JEV, WNV, and AHSV, is crucial for safeguarding equine health and promoting the sustainable development of the equestrian industry.
Copyright © 2025 Yan Zhang et al. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-10-26 PubMed ID: 41185879PubMed Central: PMC12580022DOI: 10.1155/tbed/6131435Google 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.

Molecular and serological testing was carried out on racehorses and mosquitoes at horse farms in Shanghai to determine the presence of mosquito-borne viruses that threaten horse health, finding Getah virus as the main risk and no detection of West Nile or African horse sickness viruses.

Study Background and Objectives

  • The research focused on mosquito-borne viruses affecting racehorses, specifically Getah virus (GETV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus (WNV), and African horse sickness virus (AHSV).
  • Shanghai racehorses had lacked systematic surveillance for these viruses prior to this study.
  • The primary aim was to assess the prevalence of these viruses in both mosquitoes and racehorses at horse farms across Shanghai.

Methodology

  • Mosquito Collection:
    • A total of 11,140 mosquitoes were collected from seven horse farms located in four different districts of Shanghai.
    • Two dominant mosquito species were identified but those species names were not specified in the abstract.
  • Virus Detection in Mosquitoes:
    • Used RT-qPCR (quantitative reverse transcription PCR) to detect viral RNA from mosquito pools.
    • GETV was detected in four mosquito pools labeled FX1-6, PD1-32, PD1-45, and PD1-57.
    • JEV was detected in three mosquito pools labeled SJ1-4, PD1-22, and JS1-9.
    • WNV and AHSV were not detected in any mosquito samples.
  • Virus Isolation and Genetic Analysis:
    • Two strains of the GETV virus (SH202201 and SH202202) were isolated from positive samples.
    • Phylogenetic analysis classified both strains within genotype III (GIII), which provides information about their evolutionary lineage.
  • Serological Survey of Horses:
    • 182 serum samples from racehorses were tested for antibodies against the four viruses.
    • Antibody presence reveals prior exposure or infection.

Key Findings

  • GETV Antibody Prevalence:
    • Overall positivity rate was 28.6% among the horses tested.
    • Higher antibody rates were observed in older horses (41.7% in horses older than 15 years), indicating age dependency.
    • Seasonal variations occurred with much higher rates in autumn (45.1%) compared to spring (12.1%), suggesting increased viral circulation during autumn.
  • JEV Seroprevalence:
    • JEV antibody positivity rate was 12.6%.
    • Significant seasonal differences were also found, though the specifics were not detailed in the abstract.
  • WNV and AHSV:
    • No antibodies were detected for WNV and AHSV in horse serum samples.
    • These results suggest minimal to no current circulation of these viruses in the region’s horse population.
  • Implications:
    • The low presence or absence of WNV and AHSV indicates these viruses are not an immediate threat to racehorses in Shanghai.
    • Conversely, GETV represents the primary arboviral risk based on both molecular and serological evidence.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • Regular, targeted surveillance for GETV is recommended, especially during high-risk seasons such as autumn and in areas like Fengxian district that show viral activity.
  • While GETV is the main concern, continued monitoring for JEV, and to a lesser extent WNV and AHSV, is advised to prevent sudden outbreaks.
  • Proactive surveillance and control measures are essential to adequately safeguard horse health and ensure the stable development of the equestrian industry in Shanghai.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhang Y, Zheng J, Zhang H, Lin Y, Wang Y, Ma Z, Wei J, Zhou B, Zhong D. (2025). Molecular and Serological Surveillance of Mosquito-Borne Viruses in Racehorses or Mosquitoes From Horse Farms in Shanghai, China, 2022. Transbound Emerg Dis, 2025, 6131435. https://doi.org/10.1155/tbed/6131435

Publication

Transboundary and emerging diseases
ISSN: 1865-1682
NlmUniqueID: 101319538
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 2025
Pages: 6131435
PII: 6131435

Researcher Affiliations

Zhang, Yan
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
  • Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China.
Zheng, Jiayang
  • Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China.
Zhang, Hailong
  • Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China.
Lin, Yafang
  • Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China.
Wang, Yan
  • Technical Center for Animal, Plant and Food Inspection and Quarantine of Shanghai Customs, Shanghai 200135, China.
Ma, Zhiyong
  • Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China.
Wei, Jianchao
  • Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China.
Zhou, Bin
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Zhong, Dengke
  • Department of Animal Science and Technology, Shanghai Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Shanghai 201699, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • China / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Culicidae / virology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Mosquito Vectors / virology
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification
  • Farms
  • Alphavirus / isolation & purification
  • Female

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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