Spreading of West Nile virus infection in Croatia.
Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen with rapid global expansion. The virus circulation is confirmed in many countries of Mediterranean Basin and Southern and Central Europe. In our study detection of specific WNV antibodies was performed in horses and cattle sera samples collected from October 2010 to April 2011. Serum samples were randomly taken from different parts of Croatia and tested by IgG and IgM ELISA. Positive serological results were confirmed by virus neutralization assay (VN-assay) and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Results showed that WNV antibodies were present in 72 out of 2098 horse sera (3.43%) and 3 of 2695 cattle sera (0.11%). The highest seroprevalence was found in Eastern Croatia in counties next to Hungarian, Serbian and Bosnia and Herzegovinian state borders. In Adriatic part of Croatia positive animals were found only in the westernmost county, near Slovenian and Italian borders. Geographic distribution and number of positive horses indicated that WNV is highly present in Croatia and spreading from East to West. However, positive horses in westernmost part of country indicate possible second origin of spreading. Location of serological positive cattle supports the hypothesis that seropositive cattle could be indicators of high WNV activity in the respective geographic regions.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-05-09 PubMed ID: 22609103DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.04.038Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Animal Health
- Antibodies
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Transmission
- Epidemiology
- Equine Health
- Geographical Differences
- Horses
- Infectious Disease
- Mosquito-borne Diseases
- Public Health
- Serology
- Seroprevalence
- Veterinary Research
- Veterinary Science
- Virus
- West Nile Virus
- Zoonotic Diseases
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 explores the spread of the West Nile virus (WNV) infection in horses and cattle in various regions of Croatia, using established testing methods to confirm its presence and understand its geographical distribution.
Methods
- The serum samples from horses and cows were collected randomly from different parts of Croatia between October 2010 and April 2011.
- These samples were tested for specific WNV antibodies using ELISA tests for IgG and IgM antibodies.
- Positive result from serologic tests were confirmed via virus neutralization assay (VN-assay) and the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT).
Findings
- The findings revealed that WNV antibodies were present in 3.43% (72 out of 2098) of horse sera and 0.11% (3 out of 2695) of cattle sera.
- The majority of positive results were found in Eastern Croatia, specifically in counties bordering Hungary, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- In the Adriatic region of Croatia, infected animals were only found in the westernmost county, near the Slovenian and Italian borders. This suggests a possible secondary point from which the virus may be spreading.
Conclusions
- The research concludes that the West Nile Virus is present in Croatia and continues to spread, primarily from east to west.
- The seropositive results in cattle were suggested to be potential indicators of high WNV activity within their respective geographical regions.
- This study highlights the need for continued surveillance and control measures, as the presence of WNV poses a significant threat to animal and potentially human health.
Cite This Article
APA
Barbić L, Listeš E, Katić S, Stevanović V, Madić J, Starešina V, Labrović A, Di Gennaro A, Savini G.
(2012).
Spreading of West Nile virus infection in Croatia.
Vet Microbiol, 159(3-4), 504-508.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.04.038 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. ljbarbic@vef.hr
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
- Cattle Diseases / virology
- Croatia / epidemiology
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Neutralization Tests / veterinary
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- West Nile Fever / diagnosis
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile virus / isolation & purification
Citations
This article has been cited 15 times.- Gothe LMR, Ganzenberg S, Ziegler U, Obiegala A, Lohmann KL, Sieg M, Vahlenkamp TW, Groschup MH, Hörügel U, Pfeffer M. Horses as Sentinels for the Circulation of Flaviviruses in Eastern-Central Germany. Viruses 2023 Apr 30;15(5).
- Ganzenberg S, Sieg M, Ziegler U, Pfeffer M, Vahlenkamp TW, Hörügel U, Groschup MH, Lohmann KL. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Equine West Nile Virus Infections in Eastern Germany, 2020. Viruses 2022 May 30;14(6).
- Petrović T, Šekler M, Petrić D, Vidanović D, Debeljak Z, Lazić G, Lupulović D, Kavran M, Samojlović M, Ignjatović Ćupina A, Tešović B, Lazić S, Kolarević M, Labus T, Djurić B. Intensive West Nile Virus Circulation in Serbia in 2018-Results of Integrated Surveillance Program. Pathogens 2021 Oct 8;10(10).
- Vilibic-Cavlek T, Savic V, Klobucar A, Ferenc T, Ilic M, Bogdanic M, Tabain I, Stevanovic V, Santini M, Curman Posavec M, Petrinic S, Benvin I, Ferencak I, Rozac V, Barbic L. Emerging Trends in the West Nile Virus Epidemiology in Croatia in the 'One Health' Context, 2011-2020. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021 Jul 24;6(3).
- Vilibic-Cavlek T, Barbic L, Mrzljak A, Brnic D, Klobucar A, Ilic M, Janev-Holcer N, Bogdanic M, Jemersic L, Stevanovic V, Tabain I, Krcmar S, Vucelja M, Prpic J, Boljfetic M, Jelicic P, Madic J, Ferencak I, Savic V. Emerging and Neglected Viruses of Zoonotic Importance in Croatia. Pathogens 2021 Jan 15;10(1).
- Vilibic-Cavlek T, Savic V, Petrovic T, Toplak I, Barbic L, Petric D, Tabain I, Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic I, Bogdanic M, Klobucar A, Mrzljak A, Stevanovic V, Dinjar-Kujundzic P, Radmanic L, Monaco F, Listes E, Savini G. Emerging Trends in the Epidemiology of West Nile and Usutu Virus Infections in Southern Europe. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:437.
- Barba M, Fairbanks EL, Daly JM. Equine viral encephalitis: prevalence, impact, and management strategies. Vet Med (Auckl) 2019;10:99-110.
- Petrović T, Šekler M, Petrić D, Lazić S, Debeljak Z, Vidanović D, Ignjatović Ćupina A, Lazić G, Lupulović D, Kolarević M, Plavšić B. Methodology and results of integrated WNV surveillance programmes in Serbia. PLoS One 2018;13(4):e0195439.
- Szentpáli-Gavallér K, Antal L, Tóth M, Kemenesi G, Soltész Z, Dán A, Erdélyi K, Bányai K, Bálint A, Jakab F, Bakonyi T. Monitoring of West Nile virus in mosquitoes between 2011-2012 in Hungary. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014 Sep;14(9):648-55.
- Vilibic-Cavlek T, Kaic B, Barbic L, Pem-Novosel I, Slavic-Vrzic V, Lesnikar V, Kurecic-Filipovic S, Babic-Erceg A, Listes E, Stevanovic V, Gjenero-Margan I, Savini G. First evidence of simultaneous occurrence of West Nile virus and Usutu virus neuroinvasive disease in humans in Croatia during the 2013 outbreak. Infection 2014 Aug;42(4):689-95.
- Pem-Novosel I, Vilibic-Cavlek T, Gjenero-Margan I, Pandak N, Peric L, Barbic L, Listes E, Cvitkovic A, Stevanovic V, Savini G. First outbreak of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease in humans, Croatia, 2012. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014 Jan;14(1):82-4.
- Hubálek Z, Ludvíková E, Jahn P, Treml F, Rudolf I, Svobodová P, Šikutová S, Betášová L, Bíreš J, Mojžíš M, Tinák M, Boldižár M, Citsoňová G, Staššíková Z. West Nile Virus equine serosurvey in the Czech and Slovak republics. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2013 Oct;13(10):733-8.
- Barbic L, Stevanovic V, Mauric Maljkovic M, Miletic G, Coric I, Savic V, Masovic V, Bogdanic M, Medic A, Vilibic-Cavlek T. Seroprevalence study for selected zoonotic vector-borne pathogens in sheep from endemic areas of Croatia. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1602706.
- Vignjević G, Bušić N, Turić N, Varga Z, Zana B, Ábrahám Á, Kurucz K, Vrućina I, Merdić E. First Detection of West Nile Virus Lineage 2 in Culex pipiens Vectors in Croatia. Pathogens 2024 Dec 21;13(12).
- Vilibic-Cavlek T, Janev-Holcer N, Bogdanic M, Ferenc T, Vujica Ferenc M, Krcmar S, Savic V, Stevanovic V, Ilic M, Barbic L. Current Status of Vector-Borne Diseases in Croatia: Challenges and Future Prospects. Life (Basel) 2023 Sep 1;13(9).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
