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Veterinary medicine and science2017; 3(4); 198-207; doi: 10.1002/vms3.71

Seroprevalence of West Nile virus in horses in different Moroccan regions.

Abstract: West Nile virus-associated disease is one of the most widespread vector-borne diseases in the world. In Morocco, the first cases were reported in horses in 1996 and the disease re-emerged in 2003 and in 2010. The objective of this work was to study the epidemiological situation of WNV-associated infection in Morocco, by quantifying the seroprevalence of anti-WNV IgM and IgG antibodies in horses in different bioclimatic regions-zones of Morocco in 2011. During the months of May, June and July 2011, 840 serum samples were collected from horses in four regions characterized by different environmental and climatic features such as altitude, temperature and precipitation. These environmental-climatic regions are: the Atlantic plateaus of the Gharb and pre-Rif region, the North Atlasic plains and plateaus region, the Atlas Mountains and pre-Atlas region and the plains and plateaus of the Oriental region. All samples were tested for the anti-WNV IgG antibodies by ELISA and positive sera were confirmed by virus neutralization (VN). An anti-WNV antibody prevalence map was developed. A total of 261 samples (31%) were found positive by both techniques. The prevalence of the infection was higher in the Atlantic plateaus of the Gharb and pre-Rif region, in the northern part of the country. Available data concerning the previous WNV-associated disease outbreaks in Morocco and the preliminary results of this serological survey suggest that the Moroccan northwest is the region at highest risk for WNV circulation. In this region, the climate is more humid with higher rainfall than other regions and milder winter temperatures exist. In the same area, the presence of migratory bird settlements may affect the risk of virus introduction and amplification.
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Publication Date: 2017-09-12 PubMed ID: 29152314PubMed Central: PMC5677775DOI: 10.1002/vms3.71Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 focuses on the prevalence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in different regions of Morocco, particularly among horses. The objective was to understand the epidemiological situation of WNV in Morocco by quantifying the presence of anti-WNV IgM and IgG antibodies in horses across different environmental and climatic regions in 2011.

Research Methods

  • The researchers studied 840 serum samples, collected between May and July 2011, from horses in four distinct environmental and climatic regions of Morocco: the Atlantic plateaus of the Gharb and pre-Rif region, the North Atlasic plains and plateaus region, the Atlas Mountains and pre-Atlas region, and the plains and plateaus of the Oriental region.
  • The serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-WNV IgG antibodies using an ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) diagnostic test.
  • Positive sera were reconfirmed by a virus neutralization (VN) test. This is a more specific test and confirms the presence of respective antibodies generated against WNV in the body of the horses.
  • A map indicating the prevalence of the anti-WNV antibody in the regions was developed to visualize the spread of the virus.

Key Findings

  • Out of 840 samples, 261 samples (31%) tested positive for anti-WNV antibodies. This suggests that around a third of the horses sampled had been exposed to the West Nile virus.
  • They found the prevalence of the infection to be highest in the Atlantic plateaus of the Gharb and pre-Rif region, situated in the northern part of Morocco.

Implications and Conclusions

  • Given the previous outbreaks of WNV-associated disease in Morocco and the results of this serological survey, the researchers concluded that the northwest region of Morocco appears to be at the highest risk for WNV transmission. This area is characterized by a more humid climate, higher rainfall, milder winter temperatures, and the presence of migratory bird settlements which could potentially increase the risk of virus introduction and amplification within the region.
  • These results help authorities to focus on specific regions in order to prevent and control further spread of WNV, potentially helping to mitigate the risks of a larger outbreak in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Benjelloun A, El Harrak M, Calistri P, Loutfi C, Kabbaj H, Conte A, Ippoliti C, Danzetta ML, Belkadi B. (2017). Seroprevalence of West Nile virus in horses in different Moroccan regions. Vet Med Sci, 3(4), 198-207. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.71

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 3
Issue: 4
Pages: 198-207

Researcher Affiliations

Benjelloun, Abdennasser
  • Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular BiologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity MohammedRabatV BP 1014Morocco.
  • Central Command PostLGARoute de ZaerRabatBP 5039Morocco.
El Harrak, Mehdi
  • BIOPHARMA LaboratoryAv. Hassan IIRabat10100Morocco.
Calistri, Paolo
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale'Via Campo Boario64100TeramoItaly.
Loutfi, Chafiqa
  • BIOPHARMA LaboratoryAv. Hassan IIRabat10100Morocco.
Kabbaj, Hafsa
  • Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular BiologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity MohammedRabatV BP 1014Morocco.
Conte, Annamaria
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale'Via Campo Boario64100TeramoItaly.
Ippoliti, Carla
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale'Via Campo Boario64100TeramoItaly.
Danzetta, Maria Luisa
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale'Via Campo Boario64100TeramoItaly.
Belkadi, Bouchra
  • Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular BiologyFaculty of ScienceUniversity MohammedRabatV BP 1014Morocco.

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