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Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)2013; 13(8); 610-613; doi: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1166

Recent circulation of West Nile virus and potentially other closely related flaviviruses in Southern France.

Abstract: In recent years, the number of West Nile virus (WNV) cases reported in horses and humans has increased dramatically throughout the Mediterranean basin. Furthermore, the emergence of Usutu virus (USUV) in Austria in 2001, and its subsequent expansion to Hungary, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Germany, has given added cause for concern regarding the impact of the spread of flaviviruses on human and animal health in western Europe. Despite frequent detection of WNV and USUV cases in neighboring countries, no case of WNV has been detected in France since 2006 and USUV has never been reported. However, recent investigations focused on detecting the circulation of flaviviruses in France are lacking. We investigated the circulation of WNV and USUV viruses in wild birds in southern France on the basis of a serological survey conducted on a sentinel species, the magpie (Pica pica), in the Camargue area from November, 2009, to December, 2010. We detected WNV-neutralizing antibodies at a high titer (160) in a second-year bird showing recent exposure to WNV, although no WNV case has been detected in humans or in horses since 2004 in the Camargue. In addition, we observed low titers (10 or 20) of USUV-specific antibodies in six magpies, two of which were also seropositive for WNV. Such low titers do not give grounds for concluding that these birds had been exposed to USUV; cross-reactions at low titers may occur between antigenically closely related flaviviruses. But these results urge for further investigations into the circulation of flaviviruses in southern France. They also emphasize the necessity of undertaking epidemiological studies on a long-term basis, rather than over short periods following public health crises, to gain insight into viral dynamics within natural reservoirs.
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Publication Date: 2013-05-13 PubMed ID: 23930977DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1166Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The study explores the circulation of West Nile virus and Usutu virus, two closely related flaviviruses, among wild birds in southern France, focusing on the magpie species. Despite no reports of these viruses in France since 2006, researchers detected antibodies for both, suggesting their recent presence and urging further investigation.

Background and Aim of the Study

  • The study investigates the circulation of two types of Flaviviruses – West Nile Virus (WNV) and Usutu Virus (USUV) – in southern France, specifically in the Camargue area. These viruses have caused health crises across the Mediterranean basin and western Europe but haven’t been reported in France since 2006.
  • The goal of the study was to determine if these flaviviruses are present among wild birds and could potentially spread to humans and horses. The study takes a particular interest in the magpie (Pica pica) as a sentinel species for this investigation.

Methods and Approach

  • The research spanned from November 2009 to December 2010. It primarily consisted of a serological survey on magpies in the region.
  • The team analyzed and monitored birds for neutralizing antibodies to WNV and USUV, suggesting exposure to these viruses.

Key Findings

  • The study discovered antibodies related to WNV in a bird, proposing a recent exposure to the virus despite no report of any human or horse’s case since 2004 in the Camargue region.
  • They also found low-level antibodies specific to USUV in six magpies. Two of these were also seropositive for WNV.
  • These low titers do not conclusively indicate exposure to USUV due to cross-reactions possible among closely related flaviviruses. But it does highlight the need for further investigation.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The emergence of WNV and potentially USUV-related antibodies demand comprehensive investigation into the flaviviruses’ circulation in southern France.
  • This study underscores the importance of long-term epidemiological studies instead of short-term studies following health crises to understand these viruses’ behavior within natural reservoirs.

Cite This Article

APA
Vittecoq M, Lecollinet S, Jourdain E, Thomas F, Blanchon T, Arnal A, Lowenski S, Gauthier-Clerc M. (2013). Recent circulation of West Nile virus and potentially other closely related flaviviruses in Southern France. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 13(8), 610-613. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2012.1166

Publication

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1557-7759
NlmUniqueID: 100965525
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 8
Pages: 610-613

Researcher Affiliations

Vittecoq, Marion
  • Centre de recherche de la Tour du Valat, Arles, France. vittecoq@tourduvalat.org
Lecollinet, Sylvie
    Jourdain, Elsa
      Thomas, Frédéric
        Blanchon, Thomas
          Arnal, Audrey
            Lowenski, Steeve
              Gauthier-Clerc, Michel

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Animals, Wild
                • Antibodies, Neutralizing
                • Antibodies, Viral / blood
                • Bird Diseases / epidemiology
                • Bird Diseases / virology
                • Flavivirus / immunology
                • Flavivirus / isolation & purification
                • Flavivirus Infections / epidemiology
                • Flavivirus Infections / veterinary
                • Flavivirus Infections / virology
                • France / epidemiology
                • Humans
                • Passeriformes
                • Seroepidemiologic Studies
                • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
                • West Nile Fever / veterinary
                • West Nile Fever / virology
                • West Nile virus / immunology
                • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

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                This article has been cited 22 times.
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