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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Med Sci / Serological evidence of West Nile virus infection among bird...
Veterinary medicine and science2020; 7(1); 204-209; doi: 10.1002/vms3.342

Serological evidence of West Nile virus infection among birds and horses in some geographical locations of Iran.

Abstract: Recent expansion of arboviruses such as West Nile (WNV), Usutu (USUV), and tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV) over their natural range of distribution needs strengthening their surveillance. As common viral vertebrate hosts, birds and horses deserve special attention with routine serological surveillance. Here, we estimated the seroprevalence of WNV, USUV and TBEV in 160 migrating/resident birds and 60 horses sampled in Mazandaran, Golestan, North Khorasan, Kordestan provinces and Golestan province of Iran respectively. ELISA results showed that of 220 collected samples, 32 samples (14.54%), including 22 birds and 10 horses, were positive. Microsphere immunoassay results showed that 16.7% (10/60) of horse blood samples collected in Golestan province were seropositive against WNV (7; 11.7%), Flavivirus (2; 3.3%) and seropositive for USUV or WNV (1; 1.7%). Furthermore, micro virus neutralization tests revealed that four of seven ELISA-positive bird blood samples were seropositive against WNV: two Egyptian vultures, and one long-legged buzzard collected in Golestan province as well as a golden eagle collected in North Khorasan province. No evidence of seropositivity with TBEV was observed in collected samples. We showed that WNV, responsible for neuroinvasive infection in vertebrates, is circulating among birds and horses in Iran, recommending a sustained surveillance of viral infections in animals, and anticipating future infections in humans.
© 2020 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-08-28 PubMed ID: 32858762PubMed Central: PMC7840194DOI: 10.1002/vms3.342Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 article investigates the presence of the West Nile, Usutu, and tick-borne encephalitis viruses in birds and horses in several regions of Iran. The study found evidence of the viruses circulating among these animals, urging ongoing testing and monitoring as a preventative measure for future human infections.

Introduction

  • This study emerged due to the increasing spread of arboviruses (viruses transmitted by arthropods, such as mosquitoes or ticks) including West Nile Virus (WNV), Usutu Virus (USUV), and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV).
  • These viruses are spreading beyond their usual geographical range, hence the need to bolster surveillance.
  • The research focused on birds and horses, which often serve as vertebrate hosts for these viruses.

Methodology

  • A total of 220 samples were collected, including 160 from different species of migrating or resident birds, and 60 from horses in various provinces.
  • These samples were then tested for the viruses using the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method and a microsphere immunoassay.
  • The team also conducted micro virus neutralization tests to further confirm results.

Results

  • Out of the 220 total samples, 32 were found to be positive, indicating an infection rate of 14.54%. This count was comprised of 22 bird samples and 10 horse samples.
  • Of the 60 horse samples, the percentage of those seropositive (showing infection) was 16.7%.
  • This percentage breakdown further showed seropositive results for WNV (11.7%), Flavivirus (3.3%) and either USUV or WNV (1.7%).
  • For birds, four of seven ELISA-positive samples were confirmed as seropositive for WNV; these included samples from two Egyptian vultures, one long-legged buzzard, and one golden eagle.
  • Across all samples, there was no evidence of infection with TBEV.

Conclusion

  • The research established that WNV, which can infect the nervous system of vertebrates, is present and circulating within the bird and horse populations studied in different provinces of Iran.
  • This warrants consistent surveillance to manage and prevent future spread. This is particularly important for human populations who could be at risk of contracting the virus from these animal hosts.

Cite This Article

APA
Bakhshi H, Beck C, Lecollinet S, Monier M, Mousson L, Zakeri S, Raz A, Arzamani K, Nourani L, Dinparast-Djadid N, Failloux AB. (2020). Serological evidence of West Nile virus infection among birds and horses in some geographical locations of Iran. Vet Med Sci, 7(1), 204-209. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.342

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 1
Pages: 204-209

Researcher Affiliations

Bakhshi, Hasan
  • Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Beck, Cécile
  • EURL on Equine Diseases, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Lecollinet, Sylvie
  • EURL on Equine Diseases, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Monier, Maëlle
  • EURL on Equine Diseases, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Mousson, Laurence
  • Department of virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Zakeri, Sedigheh
  • Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Raz, Abbasali
  • Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Arzamani, Kourosh
  • Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.
Nourani, Leila
  • Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Dinparast-Djadid, Navid
  • Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Failloux, Anna-Bella
  • Department of virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Bird Diseases / epidemiology
  • Bird Diseases / virology
  • Birds
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Iran / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
  • West Nile Fever / veterinary
  • West Nile Fever / virology
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

Conflict of Interest Statement

We have no competing interests.

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