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Emerging infectious diseases2020; 26(6); 1182-1191; doi: 10.3201/eid2606.191179

Zoonotic Alphaviruses in Fatal and Neurologic Infections in Wildlife and Nonequine Domestic Animals, South Africa.

Abstract: Alphaviruses from Africa, such as Middelburg virus (MIDV), and Sindbis virus (SINV), were detected in horses with neurologic disease in South Africa, but their host ranges remain unknown. We investigated the contribution of alphaviruses to neurologic infections and death in wildlife and domestic animals in this country. During 2010-2018, a total of 608 clinical samples from wildlife and nonequine domestic animals that had febrile, neurologic signs or unexplained deaths were tested for alphaviruses. We identified 32 (5.5%) of 608 alphavirus infections (9 SINV and 23 MIDV), mostly in neurotissue of wildlife, domestic animals, and birds. Phylogenetic analysis of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene confirmed either SINV or MIDV. This study implicates MIDV and SINV as potential causes of neurologic disease in wildlife and nonequine domestic species in Africa and suggests a wide host range and pathogenic potential.
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Publication Date: 2020-05-23 PubMed ID: 32441633PubMed Central: PMC7258481DOI: 10.3201/eid2606.191179Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

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 study investigates the impact of African Alphaviruses, such as the Middelburg virus (MIDV) and Sindbis virus (SINV), on the neurological health and mortality of wildlife and nonequine domestic animals in South Africa over the period 2010-2018.

Objective and Methodology

  • The main goal of the study was to determine the effects of alphaviruses on neurologic infections and death in wildlife and domestic animals (excluding horses) in South Africa.
  • Over the period of 2010 to 2018, clinical samples from 608 wild or domestic animals displaying symptoms such as fever and neurological signs, or with unexplained deaths, were tested for the presence of alphaviruses.

Results of the Study

  • Out of the total 608 samples tested, 32 (or 5.5%) were confirmed to be infected with alphaviruses, predominantly in the animals’ neurotissue. Among these, 9 samples tested positive for SINV and 23 tested positive for MIDV.
  • The infected animals included a broad range of species, including wildlife, domestic animals and birds, suggesting a wide host range for these alphaviruses.
  • The researchers confirmed the presence of either SINV or MIDV in the tested samples through phylogenetic analysis of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene, a critical protein for the replication of alphaviruses.

Conclusions and Implications

  • This study identified both MIDV and SINV as potential causes of neurological diseases in wildlife and nonequine domestic species.
  • These findings suggest that these alphaviruses display a wide host range and pathogenic potential, posing potential threats to a broad range of animal species.
  • This research indicates a potential need for further investigation into the host range and impacts of alphaviruses on animal health, with potential implications for disease control strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Steyn J, Fourie I, Steyl J, Williams J, Stivaktas V, Botha E, van Niekerk S, Reininghaus B, Venter M. (2020). Zoonotic Alphaviruses in Fatal and Neurologic Infections in Wildlife and Nonequine Domestic Animals, South Africa. Emerg Infect Dis, 26(6), 1182-1191. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2606.191179

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6059
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 26
Issue: 6
Pages: 1182-1191

Researcher Affiliations

Steyn, Jumari
    Fourie, Isabel
      Steyl, Johan
        Williams, June
          Stivaktas, Voula
            Botha, Elizabeth
              van Niekerk, Stefanie
                Reininghaus, Bjorn
                  Venter, Marietjie

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Animals
                    • Animals, Domestic
                    • Animals, Wild
                    • Horses
                    • Phylogeny
                    • Sindbis Virus
                    • South Africa / epidemiology

                    Grant Funding

                    • U19 GH000571 / CGH CDC HHS

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                    Citations

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