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Emerging infectious diseases2003; 9(7); 857-859; doi: 10.3201/eid0907.030167

Serologic evidence of West Nile virus infection in horses, Yucatan State, Mexico.

Abstract: Serum samples were obtained from 252 horses in the State of Yucatan, Mexico, from July to October 2002. Antibodies to West Nile virus were detected by epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in three (1.2%) horses and confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization test. We report the first West Nile virus activity in the State of Yucatan.
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Publication Date: 2003-08-02 PubMed ID: 12890328PubMed Central: PMC3023444DOI: 10.3201/eid0907.030167Google 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 article discusses the identification of West Nile virus in horses in Yucatan State, Mexico for the first time, reported through blood tests conducted in 2002.

About the Research

The researchers conducted a study between July and October 2002 to investigate the presence of West Nile virus among horses in the Mexican state of Yucatan. They collected serum samples from a total of 252 horses.

  • They then used a method called epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to test these blood samples for the presence of antibodies to West Nile virus. Antibodies are proteins produced by the body’s immune system to fight off foreign substances like viruses. When a virus attacks, it leaves certain markers or ‘epitopes’ in the body, which can be recognized by the antibodies. By blocking these epitopes, researchers can test whether there are specific antibodies designed to fight against them present in the blood sample.
  • The ELISA method used in this study is particularly sensitive and specific, given its ability to detect small amounts of antibodies in the serum.

Findings of the Study

The researchers identified antibodies to the West Nile virus in three (1.2%) out of the 252 horses.

  • To confirm this result, scientists performed a confirmatory test called the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), which is considered the gold-standard method for virus identification and verification of the ELISA results.
  • Upon confirmation through PRNT, it was established that this was the first instance of West Nile virus activity being recorded in the State of Yucatan.

This research is significant because it provides initial evidence of the spread of West Nile virus in this part of Mexico and could offer important insights for future prevention and control strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Loroño-Pino MA, Blitvich BJ, Farfán-Ale JA, Puerto FI, Blanco JM, Marlenee NL, Rosado-Paredes EP, García-Rejón JE, Gubler DJ, Calisher CH, Beaty BJ. (2003). Serologic evidence of West Nile virus infection in horses, Yucatan State, Mexico. Emerg Infect Dis, 9(7), 857-859. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0907.030167

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6040
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
Pages: 857-859

Researcher Affiliations

Loroño-Pino, María A
  • Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Blitvich, Bradley J
    Farfán-Ale, José A
      Puerto, Fernando I
        Blanco, José M
          Marlenee, Nicole L
            Rosado-Paredes, Elsy P
              García-Rejón, Julian E
                Gubler, Duane J
                  Calisher, Charles H
                    Beaty, Barry J

                      MeSH Terms

                      • Animals
                      • Antibodies, Viral / blood
                      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                      • Horse Diseases / virology
                      • Horses
                      • Mexico / epidemiology
                      • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
                      • West Nile Fever / immunology
                      • West Nile Fever / veterinary
                      • West Nile virus / immunology
                      • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

                      Grant Funding

                      • U01 AI045430 / NIAID NIH HHS
                      • AI45430 / NIAID NIH HHS
                      • U50 CCU820510 / ODCDC CDC HHS

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