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Zoonoses and public health2013; 59 Suppl 2; 95-101; doi: 10.1111/zph.12015

Monitoring of West Nile virus infections in Germany.

Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus that is maintained in an enzootic cycle between ornithophilic mosquitoes, mainly of the Culex genus, and certain wild bird species. Other bird species like ravens, jays and raptors are highly susceptible to the infection and may develop deadly encephalitis, while further species of birds are only going through subclinical infection. The objective of this study was to continue in years 2009-2011 the serological and molecular surveillance in wild birds in Germany (see Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 10, 639) and to expand these investigations for the first time also to sera from domestic poultry and horses collected between 2005 and 2009. All three cohorts function as indicators for the endemic circulation of WNV. The presence of WNV-specific antibodies was detected in all samples by virus neutralization test (VNT), indirect immunofluorescence test (IFT) and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of WNV genomes was monitored in relevant sera using two qRT-PCRs that amplify lineage 1 and 2 strains. A total of 364 migratory and resident wild bird serum samples (with emphasis on Passeriformes and Falconiformes) as well as 1119 serum samples from domestic poultry and 1282 sera from horses were analysed. With the exception of one hooded crow, antibody carriers were exclusively found in migratory birds, but not in resident birds/domestic poultry or in local horses. Crows are facultative, short-distance winter migrants in Germany. WNV-specific nucleic acids could not be demonstrated in any of the samples. According to these data, there is no convincing evidence for indigenous WNV infections in equines and in wild/domestic birds in Germany. However, since a few years, WNV infections are endemic in other European countries such as Austria, Hungary, Greece and Italy, a state-of-the-art surveillance system for the detection of incursions of WNV into Germany deems mandatory.
© 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2013-03-19 PubMed ID: 22958253DOI: 10.1111/zph.12015Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research aims to observe the presence of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in wild birds, domestic poultry, and horses in Germany, through serological and molecular screenings during the years 2009-2011. While the prevalence of the virus was found in some migratory birds, there was no clear evidence of the virus in resident birds, domestic poultry, or local horses.

About the West Nile Virus (WNV)

  • The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a type of flavi virus that typically circulates between birds and mosquitoes, with variants of the Culex genus being the main transmitters.
  • Some bird species, like ravens, jays and raptors, are particularly susceptible to this virus, and may develop fatal encephalitis as a result of infection.
  • Other species experience subclinical infections whereby they host the virus without showing any signs of illness.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved serological and molecular screenings on wild birds, domestic poultry, and horses in Germany from 2009 to 2011, and expanded on previous research. All three groups serve as indicators for the circulation of WNV.
  • The presence of WNV-specific antibodies was determined by using a virus neutralization test (VNT), indirect immunofluorescence test (IFT), and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • Additionally, the presence of WNV genomes was tracked in relevant samples using two qRT-PCRs directed to amplify lineage 1 and 2 strains.
  • In total, 364 wild bird serum samples, 1119 samples from domestic poultry, and 1282 samples from horses were examined.

Findings and Conclusion

  • Antibody carriers, barring one hooded crow, were found only in migratory birds.
  • There was no detectable presence of WNV-specific nucleic acids in any of the samples, indicating that there was no direct presence of the virus in the subjects.
  • The study concluded that there is no convincing evidence for indigenous WNV infections in horses and in wild/domestic birds in Germany.
  • However, as WNV infections are now endemic in other European countries (Austria, Hungary, Greece and Italy), the research advocates for an efficient surveillance system in Germany, to monitor potential incursions of WNV.

Cite This Article

APA
Ziegler U, Seidowski D, Angenvoort J, Eiden M, Müller K, Nowotny N, Groschup MH. (2013). Monitoring of West Nile virus infections in Germany. Zoonoses Public Health, 59 Suppl 2, 95-101. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12015

Publication

Zoonoses and public health
ISSN: 1863-2378
NlmUniqueID: 101300786
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 59 Suppl 2
Pages: 95-101

Researcher Affiliations

Ziegler, U
  • Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Seidowski, D
    Angenvoort, J
      Eiden, M
        Müller, K
          Nowotny, N
            Groschup, M H

              MeSH Terms

              • Animal Migration
              • Animals
              • Antibodies, Viral / blood
              • Bird Diseases / blood
              • Bird Diseases / epidemiology
              • Bird Diseases / virology
              • Birds
              • Germany / epidemiology
              • Horse Diseases / blood
              • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
              • Horse Diseases / virology
              • Horses
              • Humans
              • Population Surveillance
              • West Nile Fever / blood
              • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
              • West Nile Fever / veterinary
              • West Nile Fever / virology
              • West Nile virus / immunology

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