FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Aust Vet J / Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of mosquito-borne...
Australian veterinary journal2018; 96(7); 243-251; doi: 10.1111/avj.12711

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of mosquito-borne alphaviruses in horses in northern Queensland.

Abstract: To investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of alphaviruses (Ross River virus (RRV), Barmah Forest virus (BFV) and Whataroa virus (WHAV)) in northern Queensland horses. Methods: A cross-sectional study of alphavirus antibodies in horses (n = 287) from 147 properties in northern Queensland from September 2013 to June 2014 was conducted. Owners of sampled horses were interviewed on potential risk factors. Data were analysed for associations using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Antibody titres for RRV were demonstrated in samples from 134 properties (91%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 87-96%); 22 properties (15%) had BFV reactors (95% CI 12-18%) and 2 properties (1.4%) had WHAV reactors (95% CI -0.5-3.2%). The highest seroprevalence of RRV was in the Townsville-Burdekin region (93%; 95% CI 90-96%) followed by the Mackay-Whitsunday (90%; 95% CI 88-98%) and Far North Coast-Tableland (82%; 95% CI 74-90%) regions. No association (P ≤ 0.05) could be shown between any of the viruses and age groups, sexes, annual average temperature, degree of rainfall or proximity to wet environments. An association with reported large numbers of mosquitoes was seen for RRV but not BFV. A significant association between properties in close proximity to poultry and pigs was shown for BFV. Conclusions: RRV is endemic within the horse population of northern Queensland, but horses exhibit few clinical signs and could play a role as amplifying hosts in the tropics. Exposure of horses to BFV is significant in northern Queensland and it should be considered a differential diagnosis for RRV. WHAV warrants further study.
© 2018 Australian Veterinary Association.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2018-06-27 PubMed ID: 29944744DOI: 10.1111/avj.12711Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 research investigates the prevalence and risk factors of infectious mosquito-borne viruses in horses in northern Queensland. More specifically, the study looks into three alphaviruses (Ross River virus (RRV), Barmah Forest virus (BFV), and Whataroa virus (WHAV)).

Methodology

  • The researchers carried out a cross-sectional study on alphavirus antibodies in horses with a sample size of 287 horses from 147 properties in northern Queensland covering the period between September 2013 and June 2014.
  • Information regarding potential risk factors was collected through interviews with the horse owners.
  • The research team then analyzed these data for associations using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

  • The presence of RRV antibodies were found in samples from 134 properties (91%). BFV reactors were found in 22 properties (15%), while WHAV reactors were found in just 2 properties (1.4%).
  • The highest prevalence of RRV was observed in the Townsville-Burdekin region (93%), then the Mackay-Whitsunday region (90%), and the Far North Coast-Tableland region (82%).
  • No significant association could be established between any of the virus types studied and age groups, sexes, annual average temperature, rainfall level, or closeness to wet environments. A significant correlation with large mosquito populations was observed for RRV, but not for BFV.
  • A meaningful association between properties in close proximity to chickens and pigs was noted for BFV.

Conclusion

  • RRV proved to be endemic among the horse population of northern Queensland. Though most horses showed few clinical signs of the virus, they could potentially play a role as amplifying hosts in tropical regions.
  • It was found that BFV exposure in horses is significant in northern Queensland which implies that BFV should be considered a differential diagnosis for RRV.
  • The study also suggested the need for further research on WHAV due to its low presence in the studied regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Gummow B, Tan R, Joice RK, Burgess G, Picard J. (2018). Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of mosquito-borne alphaviruses in horses in northern Queensland. Aust Vet J, 96(7), 243-251. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12711

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 96
Issue: 7
Pages: 243-251

Researcher Affiliations

Gummow, B
  • College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
  • Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Tan, Rhh
  • College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Joice, R K
  • College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Burgess, G
  • College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Picard, J
  • College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Alphavirus / isolation & purification
  • Alphavirus Infections / blood
  • Alphavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Alphavirus Infections / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Culicidae / virology
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Maps as Topic
  • Queensland / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
  1. Robson M, Chooi KM, Blouin AG, Knight S, MacDiarmid RM. A National Catalogue of Viruses Associated with Indigenous Species Reveals High-Throughput Sequencing as a Driver of Indigenous Virus Discovery. Viruses 2022 Nov 9;14(11).
    doi: 10.3390/v14112477pubmed: 36366575google scholar: lookup
  2. Yuen KY, Henning J, Eng MD, Wang ASW, Lenz MF, Caldwell KM, Coyle MP, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H. Epidemiological Study of Multiple Zoonotic Mosquito-Borne Alphaviruses in Horses in Queensland, Australia (2018-2020). Viruses 2022 Aug 23;14(9).
    doi: 10.3390/v14091846pubmed: 36146651google scholar: lookup
  3. Björnström A, Blomström AL, Singh MC, Hesson JC. Sindbis virus neutralising antibodies detected in Swedish horses. One Health 2021 Jun;12:100242.
    doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100242pubmed: 33851003google scholar: lookup
  4. Yuen KY, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H. Ross River Virus Infection: A Cross-Disciplinary Review with a Veterinary Perspective. Pathogens 2021 Mar 17;10(3).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens10030357pubmed: 33802851google scholar: lookup
  5. Ong OTW, Skinner EB, Johnson BJ, Old JM. Mosquito-Borne Viruses and Non-Human Vertebrates in Australia: A Review. Viruses 2021 Feb 9;13(2).
    doi: 10.3390/v13020265pubmed: 33572234google scholar: lookup
  6. Rawle DJ, Nguyen W, Dumenil T, Parry R, Warrilow D, Tang B, Le TT, Slonchak A, Khromykh AA, Lutzky VP, Yan K, Suhrbier A. Sequencing of Historical Isolates, K-mer Mining and High Serological Cross-Reactivity with Ross River Virus Argue against the Presence of Getah Virus in Australia. Pathogens 2020 Oct 16;9(10).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens9100848pubmed: 33081269google scholar: lookup
  7. Nguyen W, Nakayama E, Yan K, Tang B, Le TT, Liu L, Cooper TH, Hayball JD, Faddy HM, Warrilow D, Allcock RJN, Hobson-Peters J, Hall RA, Rawle DJ, Lutzky VP, Young P, Oliveira NM, Hartel G, Howley PM, Prow NA, Suhrbier A. Arthritogenic Alphavirus Vaccines: Serogrouping Versus Cross-Protection in Mouse Models. Vaccines (Basel) 2020 May 5;8(2).
    doi: 10.3390/vaccines8020209pubmed: 32380760google scholar: lookup
  8. Barba M, Fairbanks EL, Daly JM. Equine viral encephalitis: prevalence, impact, and management strategies. Vet Med (Auckl) 2019;10:99-110.
    doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S168227pubmed: 31497528google scholar: lookup
  9. Levi LI, Vignuzzi M. Arthritogenic Alphaviruses: A Worldwide Emerging Threat?. Microorganisms 2019 May 14;7(5).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms7050133pubmed: 31091828google scholar: lookup
  10. Yuen NKY, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Coyle MP, Henning J. Exposure dynamics of Ross River virus in horses - Horses as potential sentinels (a One Health approach). Epidemiol Infect 2024 Apr 12;152:e67.
    doi: 10.1017/S0950268824000554pubmed: 38606586google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.