Seroprevalence and risk factors associated to West Nile virus in horses from Andalusia, Southern Spain.
Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) is recognized as an emerging zoonotic pathogen, whose incidence in horses, humans and birds has increased significantly in different European countries in the last decade. A serosurvey study was carried out in non vaccinated horses to determine the geographical distribution of WNV in Andalusia (Southern Spain), and to assess the factors that influence the risk of WNV infection in horses. Antibodies to WNV were detected in 54 out of 510 horses analyzed by a blocking ELISA, of which 36 were confirmed by micro virus neutralization test (7.1%; CI(95%): 4.9-9.3). A total of 28 out of the 348 equine herds (8.3%; CI(95%): 5.4-11.2) had at least one seropositive animal. A generalized estimating equations model showed that the main risk factors associated to WNV seroprevalence were: number of horses within the holding (low), transport of the horse within the last six months (Yes) and presence of mosquitoes in the holding (Yes). The results demonstrated that WNV circulation in Andalusia was more widespread than previously reported. Besides, the distribution of WNV infections was not homogeneous as significant differences among provinces were observed. The results show the need to improve the active surveillance in Spain, so that the early detection of WNV circulation allows the establishment control measures such as vaccination and implementation of vector control programs during the risk period.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-06-26 PubMed ID: 22776513DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.06.027Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Animal Models
- Antibodies
- Disease control
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Surveillance
- Epidemiology
- Equine Health
- Geographical Differences
- Horses
- Infectious Disease
- Mosquito-borne Diseases
- Public Health
- Risk Factors
- Serological Surveys
- Seroprevalence
- Vector-borne disease
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- West Nile Virus
- Zoonotic Diseases
Summary
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The research conducted a survey on horses in Andalusia, Southern Spain, not vaccinated against the West Nile virus, aiming to understand the geographical distribution of the virus and assess the risk factors influencing infection. The survey concluded that the risk factors included a small number of horses in the group, the transportation of horses within the last six months, and the presence of mosquitoes. The study found the infection’s distribution to be uneven across different provinces, implying broader WNV circulation than previously reported.
Objective and Methodology of Research
- The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of West Nile Virus (WNV) among horses in Andalusia, Southern Spain. The research was conducted alongside a survey on horses that were not vaccinated against WNV.
- Out of 510 horses, 54 tested positive for WNV antibodies via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 36 of those horses were confirmed positive via a micro virus neutralization test.
- In total, 28 out of 348 equine herds had at least one seropositive animal.
Key Findings
- The results of the survey showed a higher prevalence of WNV infection in Andalusia than anticipated with a wider geographic spread.
- The research also found that the infection’s distribution was not even across different provinces, denoting the need for a thorough understanding of the factors that affect the spread and prevalence of the virus.
- Three major risk factors were identified: a small number of horses within the herd, recent horse transportation (within the last six months), and the presence of mosquitoes in the horse’s surroundings.
Recommendations and Implications
- The uneven distribution of WNV infection across the provinces and higher than anticipated prevalence signifies the necessity to improve active surveillance in Spain and possibly other similar regions.
- Such proactive surveillance can facilitate early detection of WNV infections and allows the establishment of timely control measures such as vaccinations and implementation of vector control programs during high-risk periods.
- This study provides new insights on managing WNV infections in horses in Andalusia, Southern Spain, offering a crucial baseline for the management of such diseases, particularly considering their economic implications in the equine industry.
Cite This Article
APA
García-Bocanegra I, Arenas-Montes A, Napp S, Jaén-Téllez JA, Fernández-Morente M, Fernández-Molera V, Arenas A.
(2012).
Seroprevalence and risk factors associated to West Nile virus in horses from Andalusia, Southern Spain.
Vet Microbiol, 160(3-4), 341-346.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.06.027 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain. v62garbo@uco.es
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Culicidae / physiology
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
- Europe
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses
- Models, Theoretical
- Neutralization Tests / veterinary
- Risk Factors
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Spain / epidemiology
- Transportation
- West Nile Fever / diagnosis
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile virus / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Gothe LMR, Ganzenberg S, Ziegler U, Obiegala A, Lohmann KL, Sieg M, Vahlenkamp TW, Groschup MH, Hörügel U, Pfeffer M. Horses as Sentinels for the Circulation of Flaviviruses in Eastern-Central Germany.. Viruses 2023 Apr 30;15(5).
- García-Bocanegra I, Franco JJ, León CI, Barbero-Moyano J, García-Miña MV, Fernández-Molera V, Gómez MB, Cano-Terriza D, Gonzálvez M. High exposure of West Nile virus in equid and wild bird populations in Spain following the epidemic outbreak in 2020.. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022 Nov;69(6):3624-3636.
- Ganzenberg S, Sieg M, Ziegler U, Pfeffer M, Vahlenkamp TW, Hörügel U, Groschup MH, Lohmann KL. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Equine West Nile Virus Infections in Eastern Germany, 2020.. Viruses 2022 May 30;14(6).
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- 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).
- Tomazatos A, Jansen S, Pfister S, Török E, Maranda I, Horváth C, Keresztes L, Spînu M, Tannich E, Jöst H, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Cadar D, Lühken R. Ecology of West Nile Virus in the Danube Delta, Romania: Phylogeography, Xenosurveillance and Mosquito Host-Feeding Patterns.. Viruses 2019 Dec 14;11(12).
- Barba M, Fairbanks EL, Daly JM. Equine viral encephalitis: prevalence, impact, and management strategies.. Vet Med (Auckl) 2019;10:99-110.
- Lustig Y, Sofer D, Bucris ED, Mendelson E. Surveillance and Diagnosis of West Nile Virus in the Face of Flavivirus Cross-Reactivity.. Front Microbiol 2018;9:2421.
- Martínez-de la Puente J, Ferraguti M, Ruiz S, Roiz D, Llorente F, Pérez-Ramírez E, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Soriguer R, Figuerola J. Mosquito community influences West Nile virus seroprevalence in wild birds: implications for the risk of spillover into human populations.. Sci Rep 2018 Feb 8;8(1):2599.
- Durand B, Haskouri H, Lowenski S, Vachiery N, Beck C, Lecollinet S. Seroprevalence of West Nile and Usutu viruses in military working horses and dogs, Morocco, 2012: dog as an alternative WNV sentinel species?. Epidemiol Infect 2016 Jul;144(9):1857-64.
- Chevalier V, Tran A, Durand B. Predictive modeling of West Nile virus transmission risk in the Mediterranean Basin: how far from landing?. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013 Dec 20;11(1):67-90.
- Pem-Novosel I, Vilibic-Cavlek T, Gjenero-Margan I, Pandak N, Peric L, Barbic L, Listes E, Cvitkovic A, Stevanovic V, Savini G. First outbreak of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease in humans, Croatia, 2012.. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014 Jan;14(1):82-4.
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