West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in Wild Birds and Equines in Madrid Province, Spain.
Abstract: West Nile virus (WNV) is a re-emerging flavivirus, primarily circulating among avian hosts and mosquito vectors, causing periodic outbreaks in humans and horses, often leading to neuroinvasive disease and mortality. Spain has reported several outbreaks, most notably in 2020 with seventy-seven human cases and eight fatalities. WNV has been serologically detected in horses in the Community of Madrid, but to our knowledge, it has never been reported from wild birds in this region. To estimate the seroprevalence of WNV in wild birds and horses in the Community of Madrid, 159 wild birds at a wildlife rescue center and 25 privately owned equines were sampled. Serum from thirteen birds (8.2%) and one equine (4.0%) tested positive with a WNV competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) designed for WNV antibody detection but sensitive to cross-reacting antibodies to other flaviviruses. Virus-neutralization test (VNT) confirmed WNV antibodies in four bird samples (2.5%), and antibodies to undetermined flavivirus in four additional samples. One equine sample (4.0%) tested positive for WNV by VNT, although this horse previously resided in a WN-endemic area. ELISA-positive birds included both migratory and resident species, juveniles and adults. Two seropositive juvenile birds suggest local flavivirus transmission within the Community of Madrid, while WNV seropositive adult birds may have been infected outside Madrid. The potential circulation of flaviviruses, including WNV, in birds in the Madrid Community raises concerns, although further surveillance of mosquitoes, wild birds, and horses in Madrid is necessary to establish the extent of transmission and the principal species involved.
Publication Date: 2024-06-07 PubMed ID: 38922006PubMed Central: PMC11209238DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060259Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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Overview
- This study investigated the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) antibodies in wild birds and horses in the Madrid region of Spain to understand the prevalence and potential local transmission of WNV and related flaviviruses.
Background
- West Nile Virus (WNV) is a flavivirus primarily transmitted between birds and mosquitoes.
- It can cause serious infections in humans and horses, including neuroinvasive disease and death.
- Spain experienced a notable WNV outbreak in 2020, with 77 human cases and 8 deaths.
- Previous evidence showed WNV presence in horses in Madrid, but no data existed on wild birds in this region.
Objective
- To estimate the seroprevalence of WNV in both wild birds and horses within the Community of Madrid.
- To explore whether local transmission of WNV or similar flaviviruses occurs in Madrid.
Methods
- Sampled 159 wild birds housed at a wildlife rescue center in Madrid, including both resident and migratory species, juveniles and adults.
- Collected blood samples from 25 privately owned horses in the same region.
- Tested serum samples using WNV competitive ELISA (cELISA) for WNV antibodies; this test is sensitive to cross-reacting antibodies from other flaviviruses.
- Confirmed positive ELISA results using virus-neutralization tests (VNT) to specifically identify WNV antibodies or antibodies to other flaviviruses.
Results
- Thirteen birds (8.2%) and one horse (4%) tested ELISA-positive for WNV antibodies.
- VNT confirmed four bird samples (2.5%) had specific WNV antibodies, while four other birds had antibodies to flaviviruses that could not be precisely identified.
- One horse sample (4%) was VNT-positive for WNV; however, that horse had a history of living in an area known to be endemic for WNV, not necessarily Madrid.
- Both migratory and resident birds showed seropositivity, including two juvenile birds, which implies local flavivirus transmission within Madrid.
- Adult birds with WNV antibodies could either have been infected locally or in other regions during migration.
Significance and Interpretation
- The detection of WNV antibodies in juvenile birds supports the likelihood of active flavivirus circulation in Madrid.
- Presence in both residents and migrators indicates potential overlap of local and external virus transmission sources.
- The low detection rate in horses may reflect limited local spread or prior exposures outside Madrid.
- Serological cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses suggests the need to consider other circulating viruses in the region.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- Flaviviruses, including WNV, appear to be circulating among wild birds in the Community of Madrid.
- Further surveillance of mosquito vectors, wild birds, and horses is critical for clarifying the extent of transmission and identifying major host species involved locally.
- Understanding local transmission dynamics will enhance public health preparedness and control strategies to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks.
Cite This Article
APA
Williams RAJ, Criollo Valencia HA, López Márquez I, González González F, Llorente F, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Busquets N, Mateo Barrientos M, Ortiz-Díez G, Ayllón Santiago T.
(2024).
West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in Wild Birds and Equines in Madrid Province, Spain.
Vet Sci, 11(6), 259.
https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11060259 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Nováis, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University, 28691 Madrid, Spain.
- Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and their Habitat-GREFA, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
- Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and their Habitat-GREFA, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Animal Health Research Center (CISA-INIA), CSIC, 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain.
- Animal Health Research Center (CISA-INIA), CSIC, 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain.
- IRTA, Animal Health Program, Animal Health Research Center (CReSA), Campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
- Mixed Research Unit IRTA-UAB in Animal Health, Animal Health Research Center (CReSA), Campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Nováis, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University, 28691 Madrid, Spain.
Grant Funding
- Project code: 1.012.017 / XII call for Research Projects Santander-UAX
- PID2020-116768RR-C21 / Partially funded by AEI project
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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