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West Nile virus in the vertebrate world.
Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV), an arthropod-borne virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae, had been recognized in Africa, Asia and the south of Europe for many decades. Only recently, it has been associated with an increasing number of outbreaks of encephalitis in humans and equines as well as an increasing number of infections in vertebrates of a wide variety of species. In this article, the data available on the incidence of WNV in vertebrates are reviewed. Moreover, the role of vertebrates in the transmission of WNV, the control of WNV infections in veterinary medicine as well as future perspectives are discussed. A wide variety of vertebrates, including more than 150 bird species and at least 30 other vertebrate species, are susceptible to WNV infection. The outcome of infection depends on the species, the age of the animal, its immune status and the pathogenicity of the WNV isolate. WNV infection of various birds, especially passeriforms, but also of young chickens and domestic geese, results in high-titred viremia that allows arthropod-borne transmission. For other vertebrate species, only lemurs, lake frogs and hamsters develop suitable viremia levels to support arthropod-borne transmission. The role of vertebrates in direct, non-arthropod-borne transmission, such as via virus-contaminated organs, tissues or excretions is less well characterized. Even though direct transmission can occur among vertebrates of several species, data are lacking on the exact amounts of infectious virus needed. Finally, the increased importance of WNV infections has led to the development of killed, live-attenuated, DNA-recombinant and chimeric veterinary vaccines.
Publication Date: 2005-01-19 PubMed ID: 15662484DOI: 10.1007/s00705-004-0463-zGoogle 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
- Review
Summary
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The article presents a comprehensive review of the incidence, transmission, and control of West Nile virus (WNV) infections among various vertebrate species, emphasizing the virus’s extensive host range and the development of veterinary vaccines against the infection.
Overview of West Nile Virus in Vertebrates
The research paper begins with a general introduction to West Nile Virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, originally detected in Africa, Asia, and southern parts of Europe. WNV has increasingly been linked with outbreaks of encephalitis in humans and equines as well as infections in a wide range of vertebrate species:
- Over 150 bird species and at least 30 other types of vertebrates are susceptible to WNV.
- The severity of the infection can depend on the species, the age of the animal, its immune status, and the pathogenicity of the WNV strain.
Transmission of West Nile Virus
The paper then focuses on the transmission of WNV among vertebrates:
- Certain birds like passeriforms, young chickens, and domestic geese exhibit high levels of viremia (presence of the virus in the bloodstream), thereby allowing the virus to be transmitted through arthropods (insects).
- In other vertebrates such as lemurs, lake frogs, and hamsters, appropriate viremia levels for arthropod-borne transmission can also be developed.
- However, the role of vertebrates in non-arthropod-borne transmission, such as through virus-infected organs, tissues, or excretions, is less clear, with more research needed to determine the amounts of infectious virus necessary for this type of transmission.
Control of West Nile Virus Infections
Regarding the control of WNV infections in veterinary medicine and future perspectives, the article underlines:
- The growing significance of WNV infections has led to the development of various types of veterinary vaccines, including killed, live-attenuated, DNA-recombinant, and chimeric vaccines.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes the importance of further research into control measures for WNV, given its expansive host range and the role of various vertebrates in its transmission. It suggests that this information could lead to more effective strategies for managing and preventing WNV infections.
Cite This Article
APA
van der Meulen KM, Pensaert MB, Nauwynck HJ.
(2005).
West Nile virus in the vertebrate world.
Arch Virol, 150(4), 637-657.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-004-0463-z Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Diseases / virology
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Humans
- Vertebrates
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / transmission
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile virus
Citations
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