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Epidemiology and infection2009; 137(8); 1163-1168; doi: 10.1017/S0950268809002325

The continuous spread of West Nile virus (WNV): seroprevalence in asymptomatic horses.

Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) was probably introduced in southern and northern Mexico from the USA in two independent events. Since then, WNV activity has been reported in several Mexican states bordering the USA and the Gulf of Mexico, but disease manifestations seen there in humans and equids are quite different to those observed in the USA. We have analysed WNV seroprevalence in asymptomatic, unvaccinated equids from two Mexican states where no data had been previously recorded. WNV IgG antibodies were detected in 31.6% (91/288) of equine sera from Chiapas and Puebla states (53.3% and 8.0%, respectively). Analysis by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) showed good specificity (99.4%) and sensitivity (84.9%) with the ELISA results. Further analyses to detect antibodies against three different flaviviruses (WNV, St Louis encephalitis virus, Ilheus virus) by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests on a subset of 138 samples showed that 53% of the 83 HI-positive samples showed specific reaction to WNV. These data suggest continuous expansion of WNV through Mexico.
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Publication Date: 2009-03-17 PubMed ID: 19288961DOI: 10.1017/S0950268809002325Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • N.I.H.
  • Extramural
  • 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 article examines the continuous spread of the West Nile Virus (WNV) among horses in Mexican states where no data had been previously gathered. The research found that more than 30% of unvaccinated, asymptomatic horses tested were found to carry antibodies to the virus, suggesting it is spreading more rapidly than previously thought.

Research Objectives and Approach

  • The main goal of the study was to assess the presence or absence of WNV in two Mexican states, Chiapas and Puebla, where no previous data on the virus had been reported.
  • The researchers used a sample of asymptomatic, unvaccinated horses from these areas for their study.
  • The researchers analyzed the WNV seroprevalence, or the level of a specific antibody in the blood, in these horses. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to infections.

Research Findings

  • The research identified WNV IgG antibodies in 31.6% of equine sera from the tested states. This suggests that these horses had been infected by the WNV at some point.
  • The distribution was not even between the two states: 53.3% of samples from Chiapas and 8.0% of samples from Puebla were antibody-positive.
  • Further test analysis showed high specificity (99.4%) and sensitivity (84.9%) with the ELISA results. This means the tests used in the study were reliable and precise.

Implications of the Research

  • The high percentage of horses with WNV antibodies indicates high levels of exposure and continual spread of WNV throughout Mexico. This is especially significant because these horses were asymptomatic, meaning they showed no obvious signs of infection.
  • Further tests ascertained that a majority of the antibodies present were specific to WNV, as opposed to other flaviviruses, lending greater weight to the argument of the continuous spread of WNV.

Conclusion

  • This research suggests that WNV is spreading at a higher rate than previously thought in areas of Mexico bordering the USA and the Gulf of Mexico.
  • The study also strengthens the reliability of conducting seroprevalence studies on unvaccinated, asymptomatic animals in detecting the prevalence and spread of viruses in understudied regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Alonso-Padilla J, Loza-Rubio E, Escribano-Romero E, Córdoba L, Cuevas S, Mejía F, Calderón R, Milián F, Travassos Da Rosa A, Weaver SC, Estrada-Franco JG, Saiz JC. (2009). The continuous spread of West Nile virus (WNV): seroprevalence in asymptomatic horses. Epidemiol Infect, 137(8), 1163-1168. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268809002325

Publication

Epidemiology and infection
ISSN: 0950-2688
NlmUniqueID: 8703737
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 137
Issue: 8
Pages: 1163-1168

Researcher Affiliations

Alonso-Padilla, J
  • Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain.
Loza-Rubio, E
    Escribano-Romero, E
      Córdoba, L
        Cuevas, S
          Mejía, F
            Calderón, R
              Milián, F
                Travassos Da Rosa, A
                  Weaver, S C
                    Estrada-Franco, J G
                      Saiz, J C

                        MeSH Terms

                        • Animals
                        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                        • Horse Diseases / immunology
                        • Horses
                        • Mexico / epidemiology
                        • Seroepidemiologic Studies
                        • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
                        • West Nile Fever / immunology
                        • West Nile Fever / veterinary

                        Grant Funding

                        • N01-AI25489 / NIAID NIH HHS

                        Citations

                        This article has been cited 13 times.
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