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Home / Equine Research Bank / Epidemiol Infect / Spread of West Nile virus in Iran: a cross-sectional serosur...
Epidemiology and infection2011; 139(10); 1587-1593; doi: 10.1017/S0950268811000173

Spread of West Nile virus in Iran: a cross-sectional serosurvey in equines, 2008-2009.

Abstract: We report the first large-scale serosurvey for West Nile virus (WNV) conducted in the equine population in Iran. Blood samples were obtained in 2008-2009 from 1054 equines collected from 260 districts located in 27 provinces. The overall seroprevalence rate for WNV neutralizing antibodies was 23·7%. Marked geographical variations were observed as province-specific seroprevalence rates ranged from 1% to 88%, the highest values being observed in the southern and western parts of the country. The presence of IgM-positive animals (n=9) indicated a recent circulation of WNV in several provinces. Logistic modelling confirmed this result with a significant effect of age on seropositivity. This study revealed extensive circulation of WNV in Iran particularly in southwestern provinces where the virus probably circulates every year.
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Publication Date: 2011-03-14 PubMed ID: 21396143DOI: 10.1017/S0950268811000173Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 research conducted a large-scale survey on the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in horses across Iran, finding an overall infection rate of 23.7%. The study also noted geographic variations in infection rates and revealed the virus’ extensive circulation, especially in the southwestern provinces.

Research Background

  • The West Nile Virus (WNV) is known to cause serious illness in humans and animals, especially horses. In this study, the researchers conducted a large-scale survey to determine the prevalence of the virus in the equine population in Iran in 2008-2009.

Methodology

  • The researchers used blood samples from 1054 horses distributed in 260 districts across 27 provinces in Iran to measure the presence of WNV.
  • The seroprevalence, or the occurrence of specific antibodies in the blood serum indicating WNV exposure, was used to measure the infection rate.
  • The presence of Immunoglobulin M (IgM), an antibody that usually means a recent infection, also served as a marker of fresh virus circulation.

Research Findings

  • The researchers found that the overall seroprevalence rate for WNV antibodies was 23.7%, signaling a significant presence of the virus among the studied equine population.
  • There were marked geographical variations in the rates of infection with province-specific seroprevalence rates varying from 1% to 88%, the highest values seen in southern and western parts of Iran.
  • Nine horses were found to be IgM-positive, showing that the virus had been circulating recently in multiple provinces.

Statistical Analysis and Conclusion

  • A Logistic regression model confirmed the result, revealing a significant effect of age on seropositivity. This means older horses were more likely to have been exposed to the virus.
  • Ultimately, the study discovered an extensive circulation of the West Nile Virus in Iran, particularly in the southwestern provinces, suggesting that the virus likely circulates annually in these regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Ahmadnejad F, Otarod V, Fallah MH, Lowenski S, Sedighi-Moghaddam R, Zavareh A, Durand B, Lecollinet S, Sabatier P. (2011). Spread of West Nile virus in Iran: a cross-sectional serosurvey in equines, 2008-2009. Epidemiol Infect, 139(10), 1587-1593. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268811000173

Publication

Epidemiology and infection
ISSN: 1469-4409
NlmUniqueID: 8703737
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 139
Issue: 10
Pages: 1587-1593

Researcher Affiliations

Ahmadnejad, F
  • Viral Vaccines Production Department, Pasteur Institute, Tehran, Iran. f_ahmadnejad@yahoo.com
Otarod, V
    Fallah, M H
      Lowenski, S
        Sedighi-Moghaddam, R
          Zavareh, A
            Durand, B
              Lecollinet, S
                Sabatier, P

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
                  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
                  • Equidae / virology
                  • Female
                  • Geography
                  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
                  • Iran / epidemiology
                  • Male
                  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
                  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
                  • West Nile Fever / veterinary
                  • West Nile Fever / virology
                  • West Nile virus / immunology
                  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

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