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Epidemiology and infection2016; 144(9); 1857-1864; doi: 10.1017/S095026881600011X

Seroprevalence of West Nile and Usutu viruses in military working horses and dogs, Morocco, 2012: dog as an alternative WNV sentinel species?

Abstract: A serosurvey of 349 military working horses and 231 military working dogs was conducted in ten sites in Morocco in 2012. This survey revealed a high level of exposure of these animals to flaviviruses: seroprevalence rates of 60% in horses and of 62% in dogs were observed using a competitive West Nile virus (WNV) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Seroneutralization test results showed that the majority of cELISA-positive results were due to exposure to WNV. Further assays conducted in vaccinated horses with a DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) test indicated that anti-WNV antibodies had been stimulated through WNV natural infection. Moreover, in both species, seroneutralization tests suggested an exposure to Usutu virus (USUV). Data analysis did not show any significant difference of cELISA seropositivity risk between horses and dogs. Dogs may thus represent an interesting alternative to equines for the serological surveillance of WNV or USUV circulation, especially in areas where equine vaccination precludes passive surveillance (based on the detection of West Nile fever cases) in horses.
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Publication Date: 2016-02-03 PubMed ID: 26838515PubMed Central: PMC9150636DOI: 10.1017/S095026881600011XGoogle 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.

This study examined military horses and dogs in Morocco for exposure to mosquito-borne West Nile and Usutu viruses and found significant rates of exposure in both species. This information will be useful for understanding the spread of these viruses and suggests that dogs could also be used in surveillance efforts instead of horses.

Research Objectives

  • The main objective of this research was to examine the seroprevalence, or the level of a pathogen in a population measured by presence of antibodies, of West Nile virus and Usutu virus in military working horses and dogs in Morocco.
  • Another aim of the study was to determine if dogs could serve as an effective alternative to horses for the serological surveillance of these viruses.

Methods

  • The study involved a serosurvey of 349 military horses and 231 military dogs across ten sites in Morocco in 2012. A serosurvey is a screening test done on a group to determine the presence of a disease.
  • Researchers used a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for West Nile virus to assess the level of exposure to flaviviruses (a type of virus including West Nile and Usutu viruses) in these animals.
  • The study also employed a seroneutralization test which is used to measure how well a certain amount of serum can neutralize a virus.
  • Further tests were conducted on vaccinated horses using a Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) test. This test helps in distinguishing between animals that have contracted the disease naturally and those that have produced a response to vaccination.

Findings

  • Results revealed high seroprevalence rates with 60% in horses and 62% in dogs. Majority of these positive results were due to exposure to West Nile virus.
  • The DIVA tests on the vaccinated horses indicated that the detected antibodies were due to natural infection rather than from vaccination.
  • Moreover, the study found evidence of exposure to the Usutu virus in both species.
  • No significant difference was found in the risk of cELISA seropositivity between horses and dogs.

Conclusions and Implications

  • These results suggest that dogs could serve as an interesting alternative to horses for the serological surveillance of West Nile or Usutu virus circulation.
  • This may be particularly useful in areas where horses are vaccinated against these viruses, which prevents passive surveillance based on the detection of infected horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Durand B, Haskouri H, Lowenski S, Vachiery N, Beck C, Lecollinet S. (2016). Seroprevalence of West Nile and Usutu viruses in military working horses and dogs, Morocco, 2012: dog as an alternative WNV sentinel species? Epidemiol Infect, 144(9), 1857-1864. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095026881600011X

Publication

Epidemiology and infection
ISSN: 1469-4409
NlmUniqueID: 8703737
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 144
Issue: 9
Pages: 1857-1864

Researcher Affiliations

Durand, B
  • University Paris Est,Epidemiology Unit,ANSES Animal Health Laboratory,France.
Haskouri, H
  • Royal Armed Forces,Veterinary Services,Khénifra,Morocco.
Lowenski, S
  • University Paris Est,UMR 1161 Virology,ANSES,INRA,ENVA,ANSES Animal Health Laboratory,EU-RL on Equine Diseases,France.
Vachiery, N
  • Cirad,UMR CMAEE,Site de Duclos,Prise d'eau,Petit-Bourg,Guadeloupe,France.
Beck, C
  • University Paris Est,UMR 1161 Virology,ANSES,INRA,ENVA,ANSES Animal Health Laboratory,EU-RL on Equine Diseases,France.
Lecollinet, S
  • University Paris Est,UMR 1161 Virology,ANSES,INRA,ENVA,ANSES Animal Health Laboratory,EU-RL on Equine Diseases,France.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dogs
  • Encephalitis Viruses, Japanese / immunology
  • Encephalitis, Arbovirus / epidemiology
  • Encephalitis, Arbovirus / veterinary
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epidemiological Monitoring
  • Female
  • Flavivirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Flavivirus Infections / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Military Personnel
  • Morocco / epidemiology
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

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