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Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)2013; 13(10); 733-738; doi: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1159

West Nile Virus equine serosurvey in the Czech and Slovak republics.

Abstract: A serological survey for West Nile virus (WNV) infection involved 395 horses from 43 administrative districts of the Czech Republic (163 animals) and 29 districts of Slovakia (232 animals), sampled between 2008 and 2011. Using a plaque-reduction neutralization microtest, antibodies to WNV were not detected in any horse from the Czech Republic, whereas 19 nonvaccinated horses from Slovakia had specific antibodies to WNV (no cross-reactions were observed with tick-borne encephalitis and Usutu flaviviruses in those animals). The seropositivity rate of nonvaccinated horses in Slovakia was 8.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.7-11.9%), and autochthonous local infection with WNV occurred at least in 11, i.e., 4.8% (95% CI 2.0-7.6%) of the animals. All seropositive horses lived in six lowland districts of southern Slovakia; overall, 15.1% (95% CI 8.8-21.4%) of 126 nonvaccinated horses were seropositive in those districts, situated relatively closely to the border with Hungary, i.e., the country where WNV disease cases have been reported in birds, horses and humans since 2003.
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Publication Date: 2013-08-06 PubMed ID: 23919605PubMed Central: PMC3787466DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1159Google 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.

This study conducted a survey on the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in horses across the Czech Republic and Slovakia between 2008 and 2011. It found no evidence of the virus in any of the horses tested in the Czech Republic, but 19 nonvaccinated horses from Slovakia had antibodies to WNV.

Methodology

  • The serological survey involved testing 395 horses from 43 administrative districts of the Czech Republic and 29 districts of Slovakia over a period of 4 years (2008-2011).
  • The researchers used a plaque-reduction neutralization microtest to detect antibodies to WNV in the horses.

Findings

  • No antibodies were detected in any horse from the Czech Republic, meaning there was no evidence of the horses being exposed to the virus there.
  • However, in Slovakia, 19 nonvaccinated horses had specific antibodies to WNV. This points to these horses having been exposed to the virus at some point.
  • No cross-reactions were observed with tick-borne encephalitis and Usutu flaviviruses in these 19 animals. This indicates that the detected antibodies were a response to WNV and not to these other viruses.

Seropositivity Rate

  • The percentage of nonvaccinated horses testing positive for WNV antibodies in Slovakia (seropositivity rate) was 8.3% at a 95% confidence interval [CI] between 4.7-11.9%.
  • A local infection with WNV occurred in at least 11 of the animals, representing 4.8% (95% CI 2.0-7.6%).

Geographical Distribution

  • All of the seropositive horses were found in six lowland districts of southern Slovakia, which are geographically near the border with Hungary.
  • This region, where 15.1% (95% CI 8.8-21.4%) of 126 nonvaccinated horses were seropositive, is significant because Hungary has reported WNV disease cases in birds, horses and humans since 2003.

Implications

  • This study highlights the importance of continuous surveillance for disease spread, especially in regions neighboring areas with known infections.
  • The presence of WNV seropositive horses in Slovakia indicates that the virus is in the environment and poses potential risks to other animals and humans.

Cite This Article

APA
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. (2013). West Nile Virus equine serosurvey in the Czech and Slovak republics. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 13(10), 733-738. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2012.1159

Publication

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1557-7759
NlmUniqueID: 100965525
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 10
Pages: 733-738

Researcher Affiliations

Hubálek, Zdenek
  • 1 Institute of Vertebrate Biology , v.v.i., Academy of Sciences, 60365 Brno, Czech Republic .
Ludvíková, Eva
    Jahn, Petr
      Treml, František
        Rudolf, Ivo
          Svobodová, Petra
            Šikutová, Silvie
              Betášová, Lenka
                Bíreš, Jozef
                  Mojžíš, Miroslav
                    Tinák, Martin
                      Boldižár, Martin
                        Citsoňová, Gabriela
                          Staššíková, Zuzana

                            MeSH Terms

                            • Animals
                            • Antibodies, Neutralizing
                            • Antibodies, Viral / blood
                            • Czech Republic / epidemiology
                            • Female
                            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                            • Horse Diseases / virology
                            • Horses
                            • Humans
                            • Male
                            • Seroepidemiologic Studies
                            • Slovakia / epidemiology
                            • 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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                            This article has been cited 9 times.
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