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International journal of environmental research and public health2013; 10(9); 4432-4443; doi: 10.3390/ijerph10094432

Natural exposure of horses to mosquito-borne flaviviruses in south-east Queensland, Australia.

Abstract: In 2011 an unprecedented epidemic of equine encephalitis occurred in south-eastern (SE) Australia following heavy rainfall and severe flooding in the preceding 2-4 months. Less than 6% of the documented cases occurred in Queensland, prompting the question of pre-existing immunity in Queensland horses. A small-scale serological survey was conducted on horses residing in one of the severely flood-affected areas of SE-Queensland. Using a flavivirus-specific blocking-ELISA we found that 63% (39/62) of horses older than 3 years were positive for flavivirus antibodies, and of these 18% (7/38) had neutralizing antibodies to Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), Kunjin virus (WNV(KUN)) and/or Alfuy virus (ALFV). The remainder had serum-neutralizing antibodies to viruses in the Kokobera virus (KOKV) complex or antibodies to unknown/untested flaviviruses. Amongst eight yearlings one presented with clinical MVEV-encephalomyelitis, while another, clinically normal, had MVEV-neutralizing antibodies. The remaining six yearlings were flavivirus antibody negative. Of 19 foals born between August and November 2011 all were flavivirus antibody negative in January 2012. This suggests that horses in the area acquire over time active immunity to a range of flaviviruses. Nevertheless, the relatively infrequent seropositivity to MVEV, WNV(KUN) and ALFV (15%) suggests that factors other than pre-existing immunity may have contributed to the low incidence of arboviral disease in SE-Queensland horses during the 2011 epidemic.
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Publication Date: 2013-09-17 PubMed ID: 24048209PubMed Central: PMC3799510DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10094432Google 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.

The research primarily focuses on investigating the immunity of horses to mosquito-borne flaviviruses in south-east Queensland, Australia in light of a 2011 equine encephalitis epidemic. Through a small-scale study, the results show that horses in the area can develop immunity to a range of flaviviruses over time. The limited prevalence of immunity to specific flaviviruses contributes to speculation that factors other than prior immunity influenced the low incidence of arboviral disease in the area during the 2011 outbreak.

Study Background and Goals

  • The research was initiated in response to an epidemic of equine encephalitis that swept through south-eastern Australia in 2011 following significant rainfall and flooding.
  • The epidemic interestingly affected less than 6% of horses in Queensland, opening questions on the possibility of pre-existing immunity among these animals.
  • To understand this possibility, the study was designed to assess the immunity of horses to mosquito-borne flaviviruses. This would shed light on whether immunity contributed to the lesser spread of the disease in Queensland.

Research Methodology

  • A small-scale serological survey was carried out on horses in one of the severely affected flood regions of south-east Queensland.
  • A flavivirus-specific blocking-ELISA was used to test the horses. This method works by blocking the interaction between an antibody and an antigen, enabling the detection of specific antibodies from the sample of a subject.
  • The study involved testing horses that are older than 3 years, yearlings, and foals born between August and November 2011.

Research Findings and Interpretations

  • Of the horses older than 3 years, 63% tested positive for flavivirus antibodies while 18% among these possessed neutralizing antibodies to Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), Kunjin virus (WNV(KUN)) and/or Alfuy virus (ALFV).
  • One of the yearlings presented with clinical MVEV-encephalomyelitis, and another clinically healthy yearling had MVEV-neutralizing antibodies. The rest of the yearlings tested negative for flavivirus antibodies.
  • All of the 19 foals born after the flooding were tested negative for flavivirus antibodies, which, the researchers infer, suggests that horses in the area have to develop immunity over time against flaviviruses.
  • Despite the inferred development of immunity among horses, the comparatively infrequent seropositivity to MVEV, WNV(KUN) and ALFV hints that other factors besides pre-existing immunity could have influenced the limited spread of the arboviral disease in the region during the 2011 outbreak.

Cite This Article

APA
Prow NA, Tan CS, Wang W, Hobson-Peters J, Kidd L, Barton A, Wright J, Hall RA, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H. (2013). Natural exposure of horses to mosquito-borne flaviviruses in south-east Queensland, Australia. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 10(9), 4432-4443. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10094432

Publication

International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
NlmUniqueID: 101238455
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 9
Pages: 4432-4443

Researcher Affiliations

Prow, Natalie A
  • Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4078, Australia. h.bielefeldtohmann1@uq.edu.au.
Tan, Cindy S E
    Wang, Wenqi
      Hobson-Peters, Jody
        Kidd, Lisa
          Barton, Anita
            Wright, John
              Hall, Roy A
                Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
                  • Female
                  • Flavivirus / immunology
                  • Flavivirus Infections / epidemiology
                  • Flavivirus Infections / immunology
                  • Flavivirus Infections / veterinary
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / immunology
                  • Horses / immunology
                  • Queensland / epidemiology
                  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

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                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 17 times.
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