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Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)2010; 10(7); 659-664; doi: 10.1089/vbz.2009.0230

West Nile virus lineage 2 as a cause of zoonotic neurological disease in humans and horses in southern Africa.

Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) is widely distributed in South Africa, but since a few cases of neurological disease have been reported from this region, endemic lineage 2 strains were postulated to be of low virulence. Several cases of nonfatal encephalitis in humans as well as fatal cases in a foal, dog, and ostrich chicks have, however, been associated with lineage 2 WNV in South Africa. The pathogenesis of lineage 2 WNV strains was investigated using mouse neuroinvasive experiments, gene expression experiments, and genome sequence comparisons which indicated that lineage 2 strains that are highly pathogenic exist. To determine whether cases of WNV were being missed in South Africa, horses with fever and neurological disease were investigated. Several cases of WNV were identified, all associated with severe neurological disease, 85% of which had to be euthanized or died. All cases positive by RT-PCR were shown to belong to lineage 2 WNV by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Two cases of occupational infection were investigated, including a case of zoonotic transmission to a veterinarian who performed an autopsy on one of the horses as well as a laboratory infection after a needle stick injury with a neuroinvasive lineage 2 strain. Both resulted in neurological disease. Cytokine expression was investigated in the second case to assess the immunopathogenesis of WNV. Collectively, these studies suggest that lineage 2 WNV may be significantly under estimated as a cause of neurological disease in South Africa.
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Publication Date: 2010-09-22 PubMed ID: 20854018DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2009.0230Google 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.

The research highlights that West Nile Virus (WNV), particularly of the lineage 2 strain, is a cause of severe neurological disease in both humans and horses in South Africa. Despite previous assumptions about lower virulence, cases of WNV related diseases have been identified, pointing to an underscoring of the impact of lineage 2 WNV in the region.

Research Objectives and Approach

  • The research set out to investigate the pathogenesis of lineage 2 WNV strains in South Africa, given few reported cases, implying a low virulence perception.
  • The methods involved conducting neuroinvasive experiments on mice, gene expression studies and genome sequence comparisons.
  • Through this multifaceted approach, they aimed to uncover the potential virulence and prevalence of lineage 2 WNV in the region.

Findings on WNV in Horses

  • The research further explored cases of WNV in horses presenting with fever and neurological disease, revealing several instances of WNV, all affiliated with severe neurological conditions.
  • Most of the affected horses (85%) had to be euthanized or died due to the disease severity.
  • DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed all RT-PCR-positive cases to be lineage 2 WNV.

Evidence of Zoonotic Transmission

  • In addition to equine cases, the study also looked into two occupational infection incidents to understand more about zoonotic transmission of the virus.
  • Both cases examined were those of a veterinarian who performed an autopsy on one of the affected horses and a laboratory infection following a needle stick injury with a neuroinvasive lineage 2 strain.
  • Both incidents had resulted in neurological disease in the human subjects, therefore depicting a clear risk of transmission between animals and humans.

Implications of the Findings

  • The study’s findings suggest a potentially wider prevalence and higher virulence of lineage 2 WNV within the South African region than previously esteemed.
  • By confirming the severity of neurological diseases caused by this strain, the research underscores the importance of accurate diagnosis and prevention measures in both animals and humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Venter M, Swanepoel R. (2010). West Nile virus lineage 2 as a cause of zoonotic neurological disease in humans and horses in southern Africa. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 10(7), 659-664. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2009.0230

Publication

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1557-7759
NlmUniqueID: 100965525
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 659-664

Researcher Affiliations

Venter, Marietjie
  • Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. marietjiev@nicd.ac.za
Swanepoel, Robert

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Female
    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
    • Horse Diseases / virology
    • Horses
    • Humans
    • Male
    • Mice
    • Needlestick Injuries
    • South Africa / epidemiology
    • Virulence
    • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
    • West Nile Fever / veterinary
    • West Nile Fever / virology
    • West Nile virus / genetics
    • West Nile virus / pathogenicity
    • Zoonoses

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