Seroprevalence of West Nile virus antibodies in equids in the North-East of Algeria and detection of virus circulation in 2014.
Abstract: West Nile fever (WNF) is a viral disease of wild birds transmitted by mosquitoes. Humans and equids can also be affected and suffer from meningoencephalitis. In Algeria, since the 1994 epidemic, no data on WNV circulation was available until 2012. In September 2012, a fatal human case of WNV neuro-invasive infection occurred in Jijel province. This study describes the first seroprevalence study of West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies conducted in the equine population in Algeria. During 2014, serum samples were collected from 293 equids (222 donkeys and 71 horses) asymptomatic and unvaccinated for WNV in three localities in Northeastern wetlands of Algeria. Antibodies against WNV were found in 51 samples (seroprevalence 17.4%) of sampled equids, distributed as follows: 19 (seroprevalence 26.8%) horses and 32 (seroprevalence 14.4%) donkeys. Moreover 7 horses coming from Blida, in the center of Algeria, were tested before and after an 8-months stay in North-East Algeria. We observe a seroconversion in 2 horses, showing WNV circulation in 2014 in this specific region of Algeria.
Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Date: 2016-11-15 PubMed ID: 28131384DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2016.11.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article is about a study conducted in Algeria on the prevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies in the equine population, specifically horses and donkeys. It identified that 17.4% of the tested samples were positive for WNV antibodies, demonstrating virus circulation in the region in 2014.
West Nile Fever and its Impact
- West Nile fever (WNF) is a virus primarily passed on to wild birds through mosquitoes. Although humans and equids (like horses and donkeys) are not the usual hosts, they can also contract the disease, which could develop into meningoencephalitis, a severe and potentially fatal infection that causes inflammation in the brain and the surrounding membranes.
- In Algeria, there had been no data about WNV since a 1994 epidemic, up until 2012 when a fatal human case of WNV neuro-invasive infection occurred in the Jijel province.
Objective and Sampling
- The primary focus of the study was to determine the presence and prevalence of WNV antibodies in the equine population in Algeria. This would provide the researchers an indication of the current circulation of the virus.
- The study was conducted in 2014, with 293 serum samples collected from asymptomatic and unvaccinated equids – 222 donkeys and 71 horses within three localities in the Northeastern wetland areas of Algeria.
Findings and Conclusion
- A total of 51 samples from equids had antibodies against WNV, resulting in a seroprevalence of 17.4%. The prevalence was higher in horses (26.8%) than in donkeys (14.4%).
- Additionally, seven horses that were initially tested in Blida (Central Algeria) before an 8-months stay in Northeast Algeria were retested. Two of these showed a seroconversion, suggesting these horses developed antibodies against WNV during their stay.
- This study was instrumental in identifying the continued circulation of the West Nile virus in specific regions of Algeria in 2014.
The article highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and research in viral seroprevalence, especially in zoonotic diseases (those transmitted from animals to humans), given the potential severity of the diseases and the associated public health risks.
Cite This Article
APA
(2016).
Seroprevalence of West Nile virus antibodies in equids in the North-East of Algeria and detection of virus circulation in 2014.
Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 50, 8-12.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cimid.2016.11.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Algeria / epidemiology
- Animals
- Animals, Wild / immunology
- Animals, Wild / virology
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Asymptomatic Diseases / epidemiology
- Culicidae / virology
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
- Equidae / immunology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses / immunology
- Humans
- Seroconversion
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / immunology
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile Fever / virology
- West Nile virus / immunology
- West Nile virus / isolation & purification
- Wetlands
Citations
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