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Erdogan Bamac O, Cizmecigil UY, Mete A, Yilmaz A, Aydin O, Tali HE, Tali BH, Yilmaz SG, Gurel A, Turan N, Ozsoy S, Vatansever Celik E, Sadeyen JR, Roman-Sosa G, Iqbal M, Richt JA, Yilmaz H. Emergence of West Nile Virus Lineage-2 in Resident Corvids in Istanbul, Turkey. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021; 21:892-899. [PMID: 34748405 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile fever is a vector-borne viral disease affecting animals and humans causing significant health and economic problems globally. This study was aimed at investigating circulating West Nile virus (WNV) strains in free-ranging corvids in Istanbul, Turkey. Brain, liver, and kidney were collected from corvids (n = 34) between June 2019 and April 2020 and analyzed for the presence of WNV-specific RNA by quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, histopathologic and immunohistochemical examinations were also performed. Samples found to be positive by qRT-PCR were partially sequenced. WNV-specific RNA was detected in 8 of 34 corvids analyzed, which included 7 hooded crows (Corvus cornix) and 1 Eurasian magpie (Pica pica). Phylogenetic analysis based on partial WNV sequences from the 8 WNV-positive corvids identified in this study revealed that all sequences clustered within the WNV lineage-2; they were at least 97% homologues to WNV lineage-2 sequences from Slovakia, Italy, Czechia, Hungary, Senegal, Austria, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Germany. WNV sequences showed a divergence (87.94-94.46%) from sequences reported from Romania, Central African Republic, South Africa, Madagascar, Israel, and Cyprus, which clustered into a different clade of WNV lineage-2. Common histopathologic findings of WNV-positive corvids included lymphoplasmacytic hepatitis, myocarditis, and splenitis. The liver and heart were found to be the tissues most consistently positive for WNV-specific antigen by immunohistochemistry, followed by the kidney and brain. This study demonstrates for the first time the existence of WNV virus belonging to the genetic lineage-2 in resident corvids in Istanbul, Turkey. We hypothesize that the WNV strains circulating in Istanbul are possibly the result of a spillover event from Europe. Since WNV is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted by mosquito vectors, the emergence of WNV in Istanbul also poses a risk to humans and other susceptible animals in this densely populated city and needs to be addressed by animal and public health authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Erdogan Bamac
- Department of Pathology, and Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Utku Y Cizmecigil
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Asli Mete
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Davis Branch, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Aysun Yilmaz
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozge Aydin
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hasan E Tali
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Besim H Tali
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Semaha G Yilmaz
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aydin Gurel
- Department of Pathology, and Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nuri Turan
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serhat Ozsoy
- Department of Wild Animals and Ecology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Vatansever Celik
- Department of Wild Animals and Ecology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Jean-Remy Sadeyen
- Avian Influenza Group, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Gleyder Roman-Sosa
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Munir Iqbal
- Avian Influenza Group, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Juergen A Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Huseyin Yilmaz
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
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Ergünay K, Polat C, Özkul A. Vector-borne viruses in Turkey: A systematic review and bibliography. Antiviral Res 2020; 183:104934. [PMID: 32949637 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Turkey serves as a natural hub for the dissemination of vector-borne viruses and provides many suitable habitats with diverse ecologies for introduction and establishment of new pathogens. This manuscript provides an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the vector-borne viruses documented in Turkey. Following web-based identification, screening and eligibility evaluation, 291 published reports were reviewed. The publications were categorized and listed as a supplementary bibliography accompanying the manuscript. In brief, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are currently documented as prominent tick and mosquito-borne viral pathogens in Turkey. CCHFV produces a significant number of infections annually, with severe outcome or death in a portion of cases. WNV gained attention following the clustering of cases in 2010. Exposure and infections with sandfly-borne phleboviruses, such as Toscana virus, are indigenous and widespread. Epidemiology, risk factors, symptomatic infections in susceptible hosts, vectors and reservoirs for these pathogens have been explored in detail. Detection of novel viruses in mosquitoes, sandflies and ticks from several regions is of particular interest, despite scarce information on their epidemiology and pathogenicity in vertebrates. Introduction and emergence of viruses transmitted by invasive Aedes mosquitoes constitute a threat, albeit only imported infections have so far been documented. Detection of Rift valley fever virus exposure is also of concern, due to its detrimental effects on livestock and spillover infections in humans. Vigilance to identify and diagnose probable cases as well as vector surveillance for established and potential pathogens is therefore, imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koray Ergünay
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Unit, Ankara, 06100, Turkey.
| | - Ceylan Polat
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Unit, Ankara, 06100, Turkey
| | - Aykut Özkul
- Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Ankara, 06110, Turkey
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Bilgin Z, Turan N, Cizmecigil UY, Altan E, Esatgil MU, Yilmaz A, Aydin O, Kocazeybek B, Richt JA, Yilmaz H. Investigation of Vector-Borne Viruses in Ticks, Mosquitos, and Ruminants in the Thrace District of Turkey. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 20:670-679. [PMID: 32397953 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a considerable increase in vector-borne zoonotic diseases around the world, including Turkey, such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), tick borne encephalitis (TBE), Rift Valley fever (RVF), and West Nile fever (WNF), causing disease and death in humans and animals and significant economical losses. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of CCHF virus (CCHFV) and TBE virus (TBEV) in ticks and RVF virus (RVFV) and WNF virus (WNV) in mosquitos, as well as in sheep and cattle, in the Thrace district of the Marmara region, which borders Bulgaria and Greece. Buffy-coat samples from 86 cattle and 81 sheep, as well as 563 ticks and 7390 mosquitos, were collected and examined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR for the presence of CCHFV, TBEV, RVFV, and WNV. All buffy-coat samples from cattle and sheep were negative for these viruses. Similarly, all tick samples were negative for CCHFV-RNA and TBEV-RNA. Among 245 pools representing 7390 mosquitos, only 1 pool sample was found to be positive for WNV-RNA and was confirmed by sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that it was WNV lineage-2. No RVFV-RNA was detected in the 245 mosquito pools. In conclusion, results of this study indicate that CCHFV, TBEV, and RVFV are not present in livestock and respective vectors in the Thrace district of Marmara region of Turkey, whereas WNV-RNA was found in mosquitos from this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahide Bilgin
- Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nuri Turan
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Utku Y Cizmecigil
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Eda Altan
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Meltem Ulutas Esatgil
- Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysun Yilmaz
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozge Aydin
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bekir Kocazeybek
- Department of Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Juergen A Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Huseyin Yilmaz
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Savic V, Petrovic T, Toplak I, Barbic L, Petric D, Tabain I, Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic I, Bogdanic M, Klobucar A, Mrzljak A, Stevanovic V, Dinjar-Kujundzic P, Radmanic L, Monaco F, Listes E, Savini G. Emerging Trends in the Epidemiology of West Nile and Usutu Virus Infections in Southern Europe. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:437. [PMID: 31867347 PMCID: PMC6908483 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidemiology of West Nile (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Since 1999, there have been regular reports of WNV outbreaks and the virus has expanded its area of circulation in many Southern European countries. After emerging in Italy in 1996, USUV has spread to other countries causing mortality in several bird species. In 2009, USUV seroconversion in horses was reported in Italy. Co-circulation of both viruses was detected in humans, horses and birds. The main vector of WNV and USUV in Europe is Culex pipiens, however, both viruses were found in native Culex mosquito species (Cx. modestus, Cx. perexiguus). Experimental competence to transmit the WNV was also proven for native and invasive mosquitoes of Aedes and Culex genera (Ae. albopictus, Ae. detritus, Cx. torrentium). Recently, Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus naturally-infected with USUV were reported. While neuroinvasive human WNV infections are well-documented, USUV infections are sporadically detected. However, there is increasing evidence of a role of USUV in human disease. Seroepidemiological studies showed that USUV circulation is more common than WNV in some endemic regions. Recent data showed that WNV strains detected in humans, horses, birds, and mosquitoes mainly belong to lineage 2. In addition to European USUV lineages, some reports indicate the presence of African USUV lineages as well. The trends in WNV/USUV range and vector expansion are likely to continue in future years. This mini-review provides an update on the epidemiology of WNV and USUV infections in Southern Europe within a multidisciplinary "One Health" context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- *Correspondence: Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tamas Petrovic
- Department for Virology, Scientific Veterinary Institute, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ivan Toplak
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases With Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dusan Petric
- Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Irena Tabain
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic
- Center for Microbiology, Institute of Public Health Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Klobucar
- Division of Disinfection, Disinfestation and Pest Control, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anna Mrzljak
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases With Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Luka Radmanic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases With Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Federica Monaco
- OIE Reference Center for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale “G. Caporale”, Teramo, Italy
| | - Eddy Listes
- Laboratory for Diagnostics, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Regional Institute Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Giovanni Savini
- OIE Reference Center for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale “G. Caporale”, Teramo, Italy
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