West Nile Virus: Seroprevalence in Animals in Palestine and Israel.
Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) epidemiological situation in Israel and Palestine, due to their unique location, draws attention following to the global spread of West Nile fever (WNF). Although much information is available from Israel on clinical cases and prevalence of WNV, clinical cases are rarely reported in Palestine, and prevalence is not known. The objectives of this study were to determine WNV seroprevalence in various domestic animals in Palestine and to reevaluate current seroprevalence, force of infection, and risk factors for WNV exposure in horses in Israel. Sera samples were collected from 717 animals from Palestine and Israel (460 horses, 124 donkeys, 3 mules, 50 goats, 45 sheep, and 35 camels). Two hundred and ten horses were sampled twice. The level of WNV antibodies was determined using commercial Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Kit. Seroprevalence in equids was 73%. Seroprevalence in Israel (84.6%) was significantly higher than in Palestine (48.6%). Seroprevalence in horses (82.6%) was significantly higher than in donkeys and mules (39.3%). Multivariable statistical analysis showed that geographical area, landscape features (altitude), environmental factors (land surface temperature during the day [LSTD]), species, and age significantly influenced WNV seroprevalence. Fourteen of 95 (14.7%) sheep and goats and 14/35 camels (40%) sampled in Palestine were seropositive for WNV. Of the horses that were sampled twice, 82.8% were seropositive for WNV at the first sampling, and all remained seropositive. Three of the seronegative horses, all from Palestine, converted to positive when resampled (8.5%). The results indicate that domestic animals in Palestine were infected with WNV in the past, and the seroconversion indicates that WNV was circulating in Palestine in the summer of 2014. Control measures to prevent human infection should be implemented in Palestine. Anti WNV antibodies in domestic animals suggest that those species can be used as sentinels for WNV activity in areas where most horses are either seropositive or vaccinated.
Publication Date: 2017-06-19 PubMed ID: 28628400DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2090Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article reports on a study that uncovered a significant rate of West Nile virus (WNV) seroprevalence among various species of domestic farm animals in both Israel and Palestine. However, the prevalence rate was found to be higher in Israel compared to Palestine, and horses had a greater seroprevalence rate than donkeys and mules.
Research Methodology and Scope
- The research aims to understand the prevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) in domestic animals in Palestine and to reassess the current seroprevalence, the intensity of infection, and the risk factors for WNV exposure in horses in Israel.
- The researchers collected blood samples from 717 animals in both countries, including horses, donkeys, mules, goats, sheep, and camels.
- They conducted the research using an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA) Kit, a tool that determines the presence of WNV antibodies in the blood samples taken.
Findings and Results
- The researchers found that 73% of equids (horses, donkeys, and mules) had been exposed to WNV.
- The prevalence was found to be significantly higher in Israel (84.6%) than in Palestine (48.6%), and horses had a higher seroprevalence (82.6%) than donkeys and mules (39.3%).
- A multivariable statistical analysis revealed that geographical area, altitude, daytime land surface temperature, species, and age significantly impacted WNV seroprevalence.
- Of the sheep, goats, and camels tested in Palestine, approximately 14.7% of sheep and goats and 40% of camels had been exposed to WNV.
- Among the horses that were sampled twice, 82.8% tested positive for WNV during the first sampling, and they all remained seropositive – three of the seronegative horses tested positive in the second trial, indicating a recent exposure to the virus.
Significance of the Findings
- The research concluded that domestic animals in Palestine have been infected with WNV in the past, and the seroconversion suggests that WNV was circulating in Palestine in the summer of 2014. Consequently, the researchers recommend implementing control measures to prevent human infection in Palestine.
- The presence of anti-WNV antibodies in domestic animals suggests these species can be used as ‘sentinels,’ or indicators, for WNV activity in regions where most horses have either tested positive for the disease or received vaccinations.
Cite This Article
APA
Azmi K, Tirosh-Levy S, Manasrah M, Mizrahi R, Nasereddin A, Al-Jawabreh A, Ereqat S, Abdeen Z, Lustig Y, Gelman B, Schvartz G, Steinman A.
(2017).
West Nile Virus: Seroprevalence in Animals in Palestine and Israel.
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 17(8), 558-566.
https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2016.2090 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1 Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University , Abu-Deis, Palestine.
- 2 Al-Quds Public Health Society , Jerusalem, Palestine.
- 3 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Rehovot, Israel .
- 1 Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University , Abu-Deis, Palestine.
- 2 Al-Quds Public Health Society , Jerusalem, Palestine.
- 3 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Rehovot, Israel .
- 1 Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University , Abu-Deis, Palestine.
- 2 Al-Quds Public Health Society , Jerusalem, Palestine.
- 1 Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University , Abu-Deis, Palestine.
- 2 Al-Quds Public Health Society , Jerusalem, Palestine.
- 1 Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University , Abu-Deis, Palestine.
- 2 Al-Quds Public Health Society , Jerusalem, Palestine.
- 1 Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University , Abu-Deis, Palestine.
- 2 Al-Quds Public Health Society , Jerusalem, Palestine.
- 4 Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health , Tel-Hashomer, Israel .
- 5 Kimron Veterinary Institute , Bet-Dagan, Israel .
- 3 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Rehovot, Israel .
- 3 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Rehovot, Israel .
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Israel / epidemiology
- Male
- Risk Factors
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- West Nile Fever / blood
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile virus / isolation & purification
- Zoonoses
Citations
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