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Journal of infection in developing countries2014; 8(7); 914-918; doi: 10.3855/jidc.3885

Serological evidence of West Nile virus infection in the horse population of northern Serbia.

Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) in the horse population of northern Serbia. Furthermore, it aimed to provide insight and an updated overview on the circulation of this re-emerging pathogen in this part of southeastern Europe. At the time of manuscript preparation, no clinical cases of WNV infection in horses were reported in this area. Methods: Between 2007 and 2011, a total of 252 equine serum samples were collected from seven different locations in northern Serbia. The presence of WNV-reactive IgG antibodies was examined by using commercial and in-house ELISAs. Selected ELISA-positive samples were re-tested by a WNV lineage 2 plaque reduction neutralization test 90% (PRNT-90). Results: In 28.6% of the 252 tested equine serum samples antibodies against WNV were detected. The results obtained with the in-house ELISA corresponded to the outcome of the commercial kit in 90% of the samples. All selected WNV antibody ELISA-positive samples were confirmed by PRNT-90 with neutralizing antibody titers of 1:23 to > 1:512. Conclusions: This study confirms the circulation of WNV in northern Serbia. No striking regional differences in seroprevalences were identified suggesting WNV circulation also in other parts of Serbia. Distances between wetlands or forests and stud farms do not appear to have an influence on WNV seroprevalence.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-14 PubMed ID: 25022304DOI: 10.3855/jidc.3885Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study sought to understand the prevalence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in horses in Northern Serbia. The presence of WNV-reactive antibodies was identified in 28.6% of the 252 horse serum samples tested, confirming the circulation of the virus in the area.

Study Objectives and Methods

  • The goal of the study was to assess the seroprevalence, or the level of a pathogen in a population as measured in blood serum, of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the horse population of northern Serbia.
  • The researchers wanted to provide updated insight into the presence of this re-emerging virus in this part of southeastern Europe.
  • Throughout the period between 2007 and 2011, they collected 252 equine serum samples from seven different locations in the region. The presence of WNV-reactive IgG antibodies was then examined using both commercial and in-house ELISAs (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays), a commonly used antibody detection test.
  • Selected samples that tested positive for the presence of WNV antibodies in the ELISA test were re-tested by a WNV lineage 2 specific Plaque Reduction Neutralisation Test (PRNT-90).

Results

  • In approximately 28.6% of the 252 tested equine serum samples, antibodies against WNV were identified. This result indicates that these horses had been infected with WNV.
  • The findings from the in-house ELISA test coincided with the results of the commercially available test in 90% of the tested samples, thereby confirming the reliability of the testing method. All selected samples that tested positive in the ELISA (both in-house and commercial kits) were confirmed positive by PRNT-90.

Conclusions

  • The study confirmed the presence and circulation of WNV in the horse population of northern Serbia, signifying a potential health concern for horses and possibly humans in the area.
  • No significant regional differences in the prevalence of WNV were identified, implying that the virus could also circulate in other parts of Serbia.
  • The study suggested that geographical distance between wetlands or forests and stud farms does not influence the prevalence of WNV.

Cite This Article

APA
Medić S, van den Hoven R, Petrović T, Lupulović D, Nowotny N. (2014). Serological evidence of West Nile virus infection in the horse population of northern Serbia. J Infect Dev Ctries, 8(7), 914-918. https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.3885

Publication

Journal of infection in developing countries
ISSN: 1972-2680
NlmUniqueID: 101305410
Country: Italy
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 7
Pages: 914-918

Researcher Affiliations

Medić, Strahinja
  • University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria. strmbg@gmail.com.
van den Hoven, Rene
    Petrović, Tamaš
      Lupulović, Diana
        Nowotny, Norbert

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Antibodies, Viral / blood
          • Asymptomatic Infections
          • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
          • Horse Diseases / virology
          • Horses / virology
          • Neutralization Tests
          • Serbia
          • Seroepidemiologic Studies
          • Surveys and Questionnaires
          • West Nile Fever / veterinary
          • West Nile Fever / virology
          • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

          Citations

          This article has been cited 6 times.
          1. Petrović T, Šekler M, Petrić D, Vidanović D, Debeljak Z, Lazić G, Lupulović D, Kavran M, Samojlović M, Ignjatović Ćupina A, Tešović B, Lazić S, Kolarević M, Labus T, Djurić B. Intensive West Nile Virus Circulation in Serbia in 2018-Results of Integrated Surveillance Program. Pathogens 2021 Oct 8;10(10).
            doi: 10.3390/pathogens10101294pubmed: 34684243google scholar: lookup
          2. de Heus P, Kolodziejek J, Hubálek Z, Dimmel K, Racher V, Nowotny N, Cavalleri JV. West Nile Virus and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Are Endemic in Equids in Eastern Austria. Viruses 2021 Sep 19;13(9).
            doi: 10.3390/v13091873pubmed: 34578454google scholar: lookup
          3. Atadiose EO, Kabir J, Adamu SG, Umoh JU. Serosurvey of West Nile virus in horses and detection of West Nile virus antigen in mosquitoes in Kaduna State, Nigeria. J Equine Sci 2020 Oct;31(3):61-66.
            doi: 10.1294/jes.31.61pubmed: 33061786google scholar: lookup
          4. Vilibic-Cavlek T, Savic V, Petrovic T, Toplak I, Barbic L, Petric D, Tabain I, Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic I, Bogdanic M, Klobucar A, Mrzljak A, Stevanovic V, Dinjar-Kujundzic P, Radmanic L, Monaco F, Listes E, Savini G. Emerging Trends in the Epidemiology of West Nile and Usutu Virus Infections in Southern Europe. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:437.
            doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00437pubmed: 31867347google scholar: lookup
          5. Petrović T, Šekler M, Petrić D, Lazić S, Debeljak Z, Vidanović D, Ignjatović Ćupina A, Lazić G, Lupulović D, Kolarević M, Plavšić B. Methodology and results of integrated WNV surveillance programmes in Serbia. PLoS One 2018;13(4):e0195439.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195439pubmed: 29624622google scholar: lookup
          6. Rusenova N, Rusenov A, Chervenkov M, Sirakov I. Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus among Equids in Bulgaria in 2022 and Assessment of Some Risk Factors. Vet Sci 2024 May 9;11(5).
            doi: 10.3390/vetsci11050209pubmed: 38787181google scholar: lookup
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