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Home / Equine Research Bank / Emerg Infect Dis / Sindbis and Middelburg Old World Alphaviruses Associated wit...
Emerging infectious diseases2015; 21(12); 2225-2229; doi: 10.3201/eid2112.150132

Sindbis and Middelburg Old World Alphaviruses Associated with Neurologic Disease in Horses, South Africa.

Abstract: Old World alphaviruses were identified in 52 of 623 horses with febrile or neurologic disease in South Africa. Five of 8 Sindbis virus infections were mild; 2 of 3 fatal cases involved co-infections. Of 44 Middelburg virus infections, 28 caused neurologic disease; 12 were fatal. Middelburg virus likely has zoonotic potential.
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Publication Date: 2015-11-20 PubMed ID: 26583836PubMed Central: PMC4672445DOI: 10.3201/eid2112.150132Google 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.

The research identifies Old World alphaviruses — specifically Sindbis and Middelburg viruses — as a prevalent infection among horses with febrile or neurological conditions in South Africa and suggests possible zoonotic (animals to people) transmission.

Approach and Findings

  • The study investigated the role of Old World alphaviruses in causing illness among horses in South Africa. A total of 623 horses showing symptoms of either febrile (fever-related) or neurologic disease were studied.
  • It found that 52 of these horses were infected with Old World alphaviruses, including Sindbis and Middelburg viruses. This suggests a significant presence of these viruses in the horse population under study.
  • Of the 8 horses infected with Sindbis virus, five presented mild symptoms. However, 2 of the 3 fatal cases involved co-infections, showing that Sindbis virus might cause or contribute to severe or fatal outcomes when present along with other infections.
  • In comparison, Middelburg virus showed a more marked effect on the horses. Of the 44 horses with this virus, a significant number – 28 – showed signs of neurologic disease, while 12 cases were fatal. This suggests that the Middelburg virus is potentially more virulent or devastating to the affected horses.

Implications

  • The high rate of Middelburg virus infections causing neurologic disease and leading to fatality suggests that it represents a key health concern for horses and potentially for other animals or species as well.
  • The fatal cases of Sindbis virus when present with other infections also show that it can exacerbate diseases or create complicated health scenarios, impacting overall horse health and survival rates.
  • The study further posits that the Middelburg virus might have zoonotic potential, meaning it can be transmitted from infected animals to humans. This is an area that warrants further research, as it could pose significant public health risks and require changes in disease management strategies for animals.

Cite This Article

APA
van Niekerk S, Human S, Williams J, van Wilpe E, Pretorius M, Swanepoel R, Venter M. (2015). Sindbis and Middelburg Old World Alphaviruses Associated with Neurologic Disease in Horses, South Africa. Emerg Infect Dis, 21(12), 2225-2229. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2112.150132

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6059
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 12
Pages: 2225-2229

Researcher Affiliations

van Niekerk, Stephanie
    Human, Stacey
      Williams, June
        van Wilpe, Erna
          Pretorius, Marthi
            Swanepoel, Robert
              Venter, Marietjie

                MeSH Terms

                • Alphavirus / genetics
                • Animals
                • Horses / genetics
                • Horses / virology
                • Humans
                • Phylogeny
                • Sindbis Virus / genetics
                • Sindbis Virus / pathogenicity
                • South Africa / epidemiology
                • Zoonoses / epidemiology

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