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Lamsal A, Tryland M, Paulsen KM, Romano JS, Nymo IH, Stiasny K, Soleng A, Vikse R, Andreassen ÅK. Serological screening for tick-borne encephalitis virus in eight Norwegian herds of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Zoonoses Public Health 2023; 70:692-698. [PMID: 37259822 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is found in Ixodes ricinus ticks throughout the area where viable tick populations exist. In Norway, TBEV is found in I. ricinus from the south coast until Brønnøy municipality in Nordland County and the range of the vector is expanding due to changes in climate, vegetation, host animals and environmental conditions. TBEV might thus have the potential to establish in new areas when I. ricinus expand its geographical distribution. At present, there is little knowledge on the status of the virus in high-altitude areas of inland regions in Norway. It has previously been indicated that reindeer may be an important sentinel species and indicator of the spread of ticks and TBEV in high-altitude regions. In this study, 408 semi-domesticated Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) from eight herds, from Tana in Troms and Finnmark County in northern Norway to Filefjell in Innlandet and Viken Counties in southern Norway, were screened for TBEV antibodies using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found 16 TBEV reactive reindeer samples by ELISA; however, these results could not be confirmed by the serum neutralization test (SNT). This could indicate that a flavivirusand not necessarily TBEV, may be circulating among Norwegian semi-domesticated reindeer. The results also indicate that TBEV was not enzootic in Norwegian semi-domesticated reindeer in 2013-2015. This knowledge is important as an information base for future TBEV and flavivirus surveillance in Norway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaka Lamsal
- Department of Virology, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Campus Bø, Norway
| | - Morten Tryland
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Evenstad, Norway
| | - Katrine M Paulsen
- Department of Virology, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Javier Sánchez Romano
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Medical Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ingebjørg H Nymo
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Section for Food Safety and Animal Health, The Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arnulf Soleng
- Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rose Vikse
- Department of Virology, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Åshild K Andreassen
- Department of Virology, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Campus Bø, Norway
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Reemtsma H, Holicki CM, Fast C, Bergmann F, Groschup MH, Ziegler U. A Prior Usutu Virus Infection Can Protect Geese from Severe West Nile Disease. Pathogens 2023; 12:959. [PMID: 37513806 PMCID: PMC10386565 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are closely related pathogens circulating between mosquitoes and birds, but also infecting mammals as dead-end hosts. Both viruses share the same susceptible hosts, vectors, and even distribution areas in Central Europe. The aim of the study was, therefore, to understand their amplification potential and interference upon a successive infection. Two-week old geese were initially infected with an USUV isolate from Germany and with a German WNV isolate17 days later. The geese were susceptible to the USUV and the WNV infections, as evidenced by specific flavivirus antibodies in all of the birds. Furthermore, in half of the USUV-inoculated geese, USUV genomes were detected in the blood and swab samples 2-4 days post-infection. Additionally, most of the examined organs contained USUV genomes and showed signs of encephalitis and ganglioneuritis. Interestingly, upon a sequential infection with WNV, the genome copy numbers in all of the examined samples were significantly lower and less frequent than after a WNV mono-infection. Similarly, the histopathological lesions were less severe. Therefore, it can be concluded that a previous USUV infection can protect birds from clinical disease in a subsequent WNV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Reemtsma
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Cora M Holicki
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Fast
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Felicitas Bergmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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de Bellegarde de Saint Lary C, Kasbergen LM, Bruijning-Verhagen PC, van der Jeugd H, Chandler F, Hogema BM, Zaaijer HL, van der Klis FR, Barzon L, de Bruin E, ten Bosch Q, Koopmans MP, Sikkema RS, Visser LG. Assessing West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) exposure in bird ringers in the Netherlands: a high-risk group for WNV and USUV infection? One Health 2023; 16:100533. [PMID: 37363259 PMCID: PMC10288042 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In 2020, the first Dutch West Nile virus (WNV) infected birds were detected through risk-targeted surveillance of songbirds. Retrospective testing of patients with unexplained neurological disease revealed human WNV infections in July and August 2020. Bird ringers are highly exposed to mosquito bites and possibly avian excrements during ringing activities. This study therefore investigates whether bird ringers are at higher risk of exposure to WNV and Usutu virus (USUV). Methods Dutch bird ringers were asked to provide a single serum sample (May - September 2021) and to fill out a survey. Sera were screened by protein microarray for presence of specific IgG against WNV and USUV non-structural protein 1 (NS1), followed by focus reduction virus neutralization tests (FRNT). Healthcare workers (2009-2010), the national immunity cohort (2016-2017) and blood donors (2021) were used as control groups without this occupational exposure. Results The majority of the 157 participating bird ringers was male (132/157, 84%) and the median age was 62 years. Thirty-seven participants (37/157, 23.6%) showed WNV and USUV IgG microarray signals above background, compared to 6.4% (6/94) in the community cohort and 2.1% (2/96) in blood donors (p < 0.01). Two seroreactive bird ringers were confirmed WNV or USUV positive by FRNT. The majority of seroreactive bird ringers travelled to EU countries with reported WNV human cases (30/37, 81%) (p = 0.07). No difference was observed between bird ringers with and without previous yellow fever vaccination. Discussion The higher frequency of WNV and/or USUV IgG reactive bird ringers indicates increased flavivirus exposure compared to the general population, suggesting that individuals with high-exposure professions may be considered to complement existing surveillance systems. However, the complexity of serological interpretation in relation to location-specific exposure (including travel), and antibody cross-reactivity, remain a challenge when performing surveillance of emerging flaviviruses in low-prevalence settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara de Bellegarde de Saint Lary
- Department of Infectious Diseases, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Epidemiology, UMCU, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Henk van der Jeugd
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Animal Ecology, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Luisa Barzon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Erwin de Bruin
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Quirine ten Bosch
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, WUR, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Reina S. Sikkema
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Leo G. Visser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, LUMC, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Holicki CM, Bergmann F, Stoek F, Schulz A, Groschup MH, Ziegler U, Sadeghi B. Expedited retrieval of high-quality Usutu virus genomes via Nanopore sequencing with and without target enrichment. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1044316. [PMID: 36439823 PMCID: PMC9681921 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1044316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic virus and one of the causes of flavivirus encephalitis in birds and occasionally in humans. USUV rapidly disperses in a susceptible host and vector environment, as is the case in South and Central Europe. However, compared to other flaviviruses, USUV has received less research attention and there is therefore limited access to whole-genome sequences and also to in-depth phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses. To ease future molecular studies, this study compares first- (partial sequencing via Sanger), second- (Illumina), and third-generation (MinION Nanopore) sequencing platforms for USUV. With emphasis on MinION Nanopore sequencing, cDNA-direct and target-enrichment (amplicon-based) sequencing approaches were validated in parallel. The study was based on four samples from succumbed birds commonly collected throughout Germany. The samples were isolated from various sample matrices, organs as well as blood cruor, and included three different USUV lineages. We concluded that depending on the focus of a research project, amplicon-based MinION Nanopore sequencing can be an ideal cost- and time-effective alternative to Illumina in producing optimal genome coverage. It can be implemented for an array of lab- or field-based objectives, including among others: phylodynamic studies and the analysis of viral quasispecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora M Holicki
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Felicitas Bergmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Franziska Stoek
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ansgar Schulz
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Balal Sadeghi
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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Alkharsah KR, Al-Afaleq AI. Serological Evidence of West Nile Virus Infection Among Humans, Horses, and Pigeons in Saudi Arabia. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 14:5595-5601. [PMID: 34992386 PMCID: PMC8711105 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s348648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study was designed to investigate the seroprevalence of WNV antibodies in humans, horses, and pigeons in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods Blood samples were collected from 323 humans, 147 horses, and 282 pigeons from two regions, Al-Ahsa and Al-Qatif, in East of Saudi Arabia. Serum samples were tested for anti-WNV antibodies by ELISA. Results The percentage of anti-WNV antibodies in the human population was found to be 9.6% (3.1% in females and 6.5% in males). This percentage was much higher in horses, as 71.4% (105/147) of the horses had anti-WNV antibodies. However, no statistically significant difference in the anti-WNV antibody prevalence was found among horses from the two regions, Al-Ahsa (73.9%) and Al-Qatif (70.3%) (P value 0.665, 95% CI 0.37–1.82). No significant difference was found in the frequency of WNV antibodies among different age groups from humans or horses. Noticeably, 72.7% of the horses had detectable anti-WNV antibodies by the age of 1 year. In total, 53.19% (150/282) of the pigeons in the study had anti-WNV antibodies. Conclusion Our study provided the first evidence for anti-WNV antibody detection in humans and pigeons. This study further ascertained the high seroprevalence of the virus in horses as reported previously by Hemida et al 2019. Overall data indicates that WNV is endemic in Saudi Arabia. These findings suggest that more attention should be given to the diagnosis and reporting of WNV infections in human and animals and monitoring of virus circulation in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled R Alkharsah
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel I Al-Afaleq
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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6
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de Vos CJ, Hennen WHGJ, van Roermund HJW, Dhollander S, Fischer EAJ, de Koeijer AA. Assessing the introduction risk of vector-borne animal diseases for the Netherlands using MINTRISK: A Model for INTegrated RISK assessment. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259466. [PMID: 34727138 PMCID: PMC8562800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate and compare the risk of emerging vector-borne diseases (VBDs), a Model for INTegrated RISK assessment, MINTRISK, was developed to assess the introduction risk of VBDs for new regions in an objective, transparent and repeatable manner. MINTRISK is a web-based calculation tool, that provides semi-quantitative risk scores that can be used for prioritization purposes. Input into MINTRISK is entered by answering questions regarding entry, transmission, establishment, spread, persistence and impact of a selected VBD. Answers can be chosen from qualitative answer categories with accompanying quantitative explanation to ensure consistent answering. The quantitative information is subsequently used as input for the model calculations to estimate the risk for each individual step in the model and for the summarizing output values (rate of introduction; epidemic size; overall risk). The risk assessor can indicate his uncertainty on each answer, and this is accounted for by Monte Carlo simulation. MINTRISK was used to assess the risk of four VBDs (African horse sickness, epizootic haemorrhagic disease, Rift Valley fever, and West Nile fever) for the Netherlands with the aim to prioritise these diseases for preparedness. Results indicated that the overall risk estimate was very high for all evaluated diseases but epizootic haemorrhagic disease. Uncertainty intervals were, however, wide limiting the options for ranking of the diseases. Risk profiles of the VBDs differed. Whereas all diseases were estimated to have a very high economic impact once introduced, the estimated introduction rates differed from low for Rift Valley fever and epizootic haemorrhagic disease to moderate for African horse sickness and very high for West Nile fever. Entry of infected mosquitoes on board of aircraft was deemed the most likely route of introduction for West Nile fever into the Netherlands, followed by entry of infected migratory birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clazien J. de Vos
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Wil H. G. J. Hennen
- Wageningen Economic Research, Wageningen University & Research, Den Haag, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Egil A. J. Fischer
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Aline A. de Koeijer
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
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Previous Usutu Virus Exposure Partially Protects Magpies ( Pica pica) against West Nile Virus Disease But Does Not Prevent Horizontal Transmission. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071409. [PMID: 34372622 PMCID: PMC8310384 DOI: 10.3390/v13071409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The mosquito-borne flaviviruses USUV and WNV are known to co-circulate in large parts of Europe. Both are a public health concern, and USUV has been the cause of epizootics in both wild and domestic birds, and neurological cases in humans in Europe. Here, we explore the susceptibility of magpies to experimental USUV infection, and how previous exposure to USUV would affect infection with WNV. None of the magpies exposed to USUV showed clinical signs, viremia, or detectable neutralizing antibodies. After challenge with a neurovirulent WNV strain, neither viremia, viral titer of WNV in vascular feathers, nor neutralizing antibody titers of previously USUV-exposed magpies differed significantly with respect to magpies that had not previously been exposed to USUV. However, 75% (6/8) of the USUV-exposed birds survived, while only 22.2% (2/9) of those not previously exposed to USUV survived. WNV antigen labeling by immunohistochemistry in tissues was less evident and more restricted in magpies exposed to USUV prior to challenge with WNV. Our data indicate that previous exposure to USUV partially protects magpies against a lethal challenge with WNV, while it does not prevent viremia and direct transmission, although the mechanism is unclear. These results are relevant for flavivirus ecology and contention.
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8
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Wang H, Abbo SR, Visser TM, Westenberg M, Geertsema C, Fros JJ, Koenraadt CJM, Pijlman GP. Competition between Usutu virus and West Nile virus during simultaneous and sequential infection of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 9:2642-2652. [PMID: 33215969 PMCID: PMC7738303 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1854623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are closely related mosquito-borne flaviviruses that are mainly transmitted between bird hosts by vector mosquitoes. Infections in humans are incidental but can cause severe disease. USUV is endemic in large parts of Europe, while WNV mainly circulates in Southern Europe. In recent years, WNV is also frequently detected in Northern Europe, thereby expanding the area where both viruses co-circulate. However, it remains unclear how USUV may affect the future spread of WNV and the likelihood of human co-infection. Here we investigated whether co-infections with both viruses in cell lines and their primary mosquito vector, Culex pipiens, affect virus replication and transmission dynamics. We show that USUV is outcompeted by WNV in mammalian, avian and mosquito cells during co-infection. Mosquitoes that were exposed to both viruses simultaneously via infectious blood meal displayed significantly reduced USUV transmission compared to mosquitoes that were only exposed to USUV (from 15% to 3%), while the infection and transmission of WNV was unaffected. In contrast, when mosquitoes were pre-infected with USUV via infectious blood meal, WNV transmission was significantly reduced (from 44% to 17%). Injection experiments established the involvement of the midgut in the observed USUV-mediated WNV inhibition. The competition between USUV and WNV during co-infection clearly indicates that the chance of concurrent USUV and WNV transmission via a single mosquito bite is low. The competitive relation between USUV and WNV may impact virus transmission dynamics in the field and affect the epidemiology of WNV in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidong Wang
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Sandra R Abbo
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Tessa M Visser
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Marcel Westenberg
- Dutch National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO-NL), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Corinne Geertsema
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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9
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Santos PD, Michel F, Wylezich C, Höper D, Keller M, Holicki CM, Szentiks CA, Eiden M, Muluneh A, Neubauer-Juric A, Thalheim S, Globig A, Beer M, Groschup MH, Ziegler U. Co-infections: Simultaneous detections of West Nile virus and Usutu virus in birds from Germany. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:776-792. [PMID: 33655706 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in Europe resulted in significant outbreaks leading to avifauna mortality and human infections. Both viruses have overlapping geographical, host and vector ranges, and are often co-circulating in Europe. In Germany, a nationwide bird surveillance network was established to monitor these zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses in migratory and resident birds. In this framework, co-infections with WNV and USUV were detected in six dead birds collected in 2018 and 2019. Genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses classified the detected WNV strains as lineage 2 and the USUV strains as lineages Africa 2 (n = 2), Africa 3 (n = 3) and Europe 2 (n = 1). Preliminary attempts to co-propagate both viruses in vitro failed. However, we successfully cultivated WNV from two animals. Further evidence for WNV-USUV co-infection was obtained by sampling live birds in four zoological gardens with confirmed WNV cases. Three snowy owls had high neutralizing antibody titres against both WNV and USUV, of which two were also positive for USUV-RNA. In conclusion, further reports of co-infections in animals as well as in humans are expected in the future, particularly in areas where both viruses are present in the vector population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Dianne Santos
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Friederike Michel
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Markus Keller
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Cora M Holicki
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Aemero Muluneh
- Saxon State Laboratory of Health and Veterinary Affairs, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Sabine Thalheim
- Berlin-Brandenburg State Laboratory, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
| | - Anja Globig
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
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10
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Sikkema RS, Schrama M, van den Berg T, Morren J, Munger E, Krol L, van der Beek JG, Blom R, Chestakova I, van der Linden A, Boter M, van Mastrigt T, Molenkamp R, Koenraadt CJ, van den Brand JM, Oude Munnink BB, Koopmans MP, van der Jeugd H. Detection of West Nile virus in a common whitethroat ( Curruca communis) and Culex mosquitoes in the Netherlands, 2020. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 25. [PMID: 33034280 PMCID: PMC7545818 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.40.2001704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
On 22 August, a common whitethroat in the Netherlands tested positive for West Nile virus lineage 2. The same bird had tested negative in spring. Subsequent testing of Culex mosquitoes collected in August and early September in the same location generated two of 44 positive mosquito pools, providing first evidence for enzootic transmission in the Netherlands. Sequences generated from the positive mosquito pools clustered with sequences that originate from Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maarten Schrama
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tijs van den Berg
- Vogeltrekstation -Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jolien Morren
- Vogeltrekstation -Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Louie Krol
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Rody Blom
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Marjan Boter
- Viroscience, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tjomme van Mastrigt
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, the Netherlands.,Wildlife Ecology and Conservation group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.,Vogeltrekstation -Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Judith Ma van den Brand
- Division of Pathology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Henk van der Jeugd
- Vogeltrekstation -Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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11
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Yeo G, Chan S, How CB, Humaidi M, Lim XF, Mailepessov D, Chong CS, Phua-Lam SG, Lee R, Hapuarachchi HC, Ng LC, Yap G. Molecular Analysis of the Bloodmeals of Culex spp. Mosquitoes at Natural Habitats in Singapore to Investigate the Potential Risk of Japanese Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus Transmission. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020; 20:703-714. [PMID: 32931404 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are arboviruses primarily transmitted by Culex spp. mosquitoes. Birds are the primary hosts for JEV and WNV. Recent WNV outbreaks in Europe and United States and their association with migratory birds highlight the importance of understanding the feeding host preference of potential vectors for outbreak preparedness, especially in nonendemic settings. Singapore is nonendemic to JEV and WNV, but is a stopover site for migratory birds of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Therefore, we elucidated the feeding host range of Culex spp. mosquitoes captured in four natural (bird) habitats in Singapore from January 2011 to December 2012. We characterized feeding host DNA in field-caught mosquitoes using a PCR sequencing-based assay targeting the mitochondrial gene regions. Of 22,648 mosquitoes captured, 21,287 belonged to the Culex vishnui subgroup. The host DNA analysis showed that mosquitoes from the Cx. vishnui subgroup are opportunistic biters, feeding on a range of birds and mammals. Cx. vishnui subgroup, Culex sitiens and Culex bitaeniorhynchus, was primarily ornithophagic, although they fed opportunistically on mammals, including humans. Culex gelidus and Culex quinquefasciatus, in contrast, fed mainly on mammals. The presence of ornitho- and anthropophilic mosquito vectors and susceptible avian and mammalian hosts poses a risk spill-over transmission of JEV and WNV among humans, should these viruses be introduced through migratory birds and establish persistent transmission in resident birds and animal hosts in Singapore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gladys Yeo
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sharon Chan
- Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, National Parks Board, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Choon Beng How
- Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, National Parks Board, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mahathir Humaidi
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiao Fang Lim
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Diyar Mailepessov
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chee Seng Chong
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sai Gek Phua-Lam
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruth Lee
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Lee Ching Ng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Grace Yap
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
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12
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Esser HJ, Liefting Y, Ibáñez-Justicia A, van der Jeugd H, van Turnhout CAM, Stroo A, Reusken CBEM, Koopmans MPG, de Boer WF. Spatial risk analysis for the introduction and circulation of six arboviruses in the Netherlands. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:464. [PMID: 32912330 PMCID: PMC7488554 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04339-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Arboviruses are a growing public health concern in Europe, with both endemic and exotic arboviruses expected to spread further into novel areas in the next decades. Predicting where future outbreaks will occur is a major challenge, particularly for regions where these arboviruses are not endemic. Spatial modelling of ecological risk factors for arbovirus circulation can help identify areas of potential emergence. Moreover, combining hazard maps of different arboviruses may facilitate a cost-efficient, targeted multiplex-surveillance strategy in areas where virus transmission is most likely. Here, we developed predictive hazard maps for the introduction and/or establishment of six arboviruses that were previously prioritized for the Netherlands: West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Rift Valley fever virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, louping-ill virus and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus. Methods Our spatial model included ecological risk factors that were identified as relevant for these arboviruses by an earlier systematic review, including abiotic conditions, vector abundance, and host availability. We used geographic information system (GIS)-based tools and geostatistical analyses to model spatially continuous datasets on these risk factors to identify regions in the Netherlands with suitable ecological conditions for arbovirus introduction and establishment. Results The resulting hazard maps show that there is spatial clustering of areas with either a relatively low or relatively high environmental suitability for arbovirus circulation. Moreover, there was some overlap in high-hazard areas for virus introduction and/or establishment, particularly in the southern part of the country. Conclusions The similarities in environmental suitability for some of the arboviruses provide opportunities for targeted sampling of vectors and/or sentinel hosts in these potential hotspots of emergence, thereby increasing the efficient use of limited resources for surveillance.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Joan Esser
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Yorick Liefting
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Adolfo Ibáñez-Justicia
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Centre (NRC), Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk van der Jeugd
- Vogeltrekstation - Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Chris A M van Turnhout
- Sovon Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Animal Ecology & Ecophysiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors (CMV), National Reference Centre (NRC), Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Chantal B E M Reusken
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Department of Viroscience, WHO CC for Arbovirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marion P G Koopmans
- Department of Viroscience, WHO CC for Arbovirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Fred de Boer
- Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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13
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Petrovic T, Savic V, Barbic L, Tabain I, Stevanovic V, Klobucar A, Mrzljak A, Ilic M, Bogdanic M, Benvin I, Santini M, Capak K, Monaco F, Listes E, Savini G. Epidemiology of Usutu Virus: The European Scenario. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9090699. [PMID: 32858963 PMCID: PMC7560012 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9090699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging arbovirus isolated in 1959 (Usutu River, Swaziland). Previously restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, the virus was introduced in Europe in 1996. While the USUV has received little attention in Africa, the virus emergence has prompted numerous studies with robust epidemiological surveillance programs in Europe. The natural transmission cycle of USUV involves mosquitoes (vectors) and birds (amplifying hosts) with humans and other mammals considered incidental ("dead-end") hosts. In Africa, the virus was isolated in mosquitoes, rodents and birds and serologically detected in horses and dogs. In Europe, USUV was detected in bats, whereas antibodies were found in different animal species (horses, dogs, squirrels, wild boar, deer and lizards). While bird mortalities were not reported in Africa, in Europe USUV was shown to be highly pathogenic for several bird species, especially blackbirds (Turdus merula) and great gray owls (Strix nebulosa). Furthermore, neurotropism of USUV for humans was reported for the first time in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Epizootics and genetic diversity of USUV in different bird species as well as detection of the virus in mosquitoes suggest repeated USUV introductions into Europe with endemization in some countries. The zoonotic potential of USUV has been reported in a growing number of human cases. Clinical cases of neuroinvasive disease and USUV fever, as well as seroconversion in blood donors were reported in Europe since 2009. While most USUV strains detected in humans, birds and mosquitoes belong to European USUV lineages, several reports indicate the presence of African lineages as well. Since spreading trends of USUV are likely to continue, continuous multidisciplinary interventions ("One Health" concept) should be conducted for monitoring and prevention of this emerging arboviral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.T.); (M.B.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-1-4863-238
| | - Tamas Petrovic
- Department for Virology, Scientific Veterinary Institute, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Irena Tabain
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Ana Klobucar
- Department of Epidemiology, Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Anna Mrzljak
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Ilic
- Department of Epidemiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Iva Benvin
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (I.B.)
| | - Marija Santini
- Department for Intensive Care Medicine and Neuroinfectology, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr Fran Mihaljevic”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Krunoslav Capak
- Environmental Health Department, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Federica Monaco
- OIE Reference Center for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Eddy Listes
- Laboratory for Diagnostics, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Regional Institute Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Giovanni Savini
- OIE Reference Center for West Nile Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.M.); (G.S.)
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14
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Genomic monitoring to understand the emergence and spread of Usutu virus in the Netherlands, 2016-2018. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2798. [PMID: 32071379 PMCID: PMC7029044 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59692-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus circulating in Western Europe that causes die-offs of mainly common blackbirds (Turdus merula). In the Netherlands, USUV was first detected in 2016, when it was identified as the likely cause of an outbreak in birds. In this study, dead blackbirds were collected, screened for the presence of USUV and submitted to Nanopore-based sequencing. Genomic sequences of 112 USUV were obtained and phylogenetic analysis showed that most viruses identified belonged to the USUV Africa 3 lineage, and molecular clock analysis evaluated their most recent common ancestor to 10 to 4 years before first detection of USUV in the Netherlands. USUV Europe 3 lineage, commonly found in Germany, was less frequently detected. This analyses further suggest some extent of circulation of USUV between the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, as well as likely overwintering of USUV in the Netherlands.
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15
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Bhowmick S, Gethmann J, Conraths FJ, Sokolov IM, Lentz HHK. Locally temperature - driven mathematical model of West Nile virus spread in Germany. J Theor Biol 2019; 488:110117. [PMID: 31866397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.110117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes. WNV can also infect horses and humans, where it may cause serious illness and can be fatal. Birds are the natural reservoir, and humans, equines and probably other mammals are dead-end hosts. In 2018, WNV occurred for the first time in Germany, affecting birds and horses. Seroconversion of an exposed veterinarian has also been reported. It is therefore of importance to evaluate the circumstances, under which WNV may establish in Germany as a whole or in particular favourable regions. In our current work, we formulate a dynamic model to describe the spreading process of West Nile virus in the presence of migratory birds. To investigate the possible role of migratory birds in the dissemination of WNV in Germany, we include the recurring presence of migratory birds through a mechanistic ordinary differential equations (ODE) model system. We also perform a sensitivity analysis of the infection curves. Seasonal impacts are also taken into consideration. As result, we present an analytical expression for the basic reproduction number R0. We find that after introducing WNV into Germany, R0 will be above the critical value in many regions of the country. Furthermore, we observe that in the south of Germany, the disease reoccurs in the following season after the introduction. We include a potential distribution map associated with WNV cases in Germany to illustrate our findings in a spatial scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Bhowmick
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, Greifswald 17493, Germany; Institute of Physics, Humboldt University of Berlin, Newtonstraße 15, Berlin 12489, Germany
| | - Jörn Gethmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, Greifswald 17493, Germany
| | - Franz J Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, Greifswald 17493, Germany
| | - Igor M Sokolov
- Institute of Physics, Humboldt University of Berlin, Newtonstraße 15, Berlin 12489, Germany
| | - Hartmut H K Lentz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, Greifswald 17493, Germany.
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16
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Martinet JP, Ferté H, Failloux AB, Schaffner F, Depaquit J. Mosquitoes of North-Western Europe as Potential Vectors of Arboviruses: A Review. Viruses 2019; 11:v11111059. [PMID: 31739553 PMCID: PMC6893686 DOI: 10.3390/v11111059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The intensification of trade and travel is linked to the growing number of imported cases of dengue, chikungunya or Zika viruses into continental Europe and to the expansion of invasive mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus. Local outbreaks have already occurred in several European countries. Very little information exists on the vector competence of native mosquitoes for arboviruses. As such, the vectorial status of the nine mosquito species largely established in North-Western Europe (Aedes cinereus and Aedes geminus, Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor, Aedes rusticus, Anopheles claviger s.s., Anopheles plumbeus, Coquillettidia richiardii, Culex pipiens s.l., and Culiseta annulata) remains mostly unknown. Objectives: To review the vector competence of both invasive and native mosquito populations found in North-Western Europe (i.e., France, Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland) for dengue, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile and Usutu viruses. Methods: A bibliographical search with research strings addressing mosquito vector competence for considered countries was performed. Results: Out of 6357 results, 119 references were related to the vector competence of mosquitoes in Western Europe. Eight species appear to be competent for at least one virus. Conclusions: Aedes albopictus is responsible for the current outbreaks. The spread of Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus increases the risk of the autochthonous transmission of these viruses. Although native species could contribute to their transmission, more studies are still needed to assess that risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Martinet
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, ANSES, SFR Cap Santé, EA7510 ESCAPE–USC VECPAR, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims CEDEX, France; (H.F.); (J.D.)
- Arbovirus et Insectes Vecteurs, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Hubert Ferté
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, ANSES, SFR Cap Santé, EA7510 ESCAPE–USC VECPAR, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims CEDEX, France; (H.F.); (J.D.)
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Hôpital Maison-Blanche, CHU de Reims, 45 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51100 Reims, France
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Arbovirus et Insectes Vecteurs, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 rue du docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Francis Schaffner
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland;
- Francis Schaffner Consultancy, Lörracherstrasse 50, 4125 Riehen (Basel-Land), Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Depaquit
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, ANSES, SFR Cap Santé, EA7510 ESCAPE–USC VECPAR, 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51096 Reims CEDEX, France; (H.F.); (J.D.)
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Hôpital Maison-Blanche, CHU de Reims, 45 rue Cognacq-Jay, 51100 Reims, France
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17
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Llorente F, García-Irazábal A, Pérez-Ramírez E, Cano-Gómez C, Sarasa M, Vázquez A, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ. Influence of flavivirus co-circulation in serological diagnostics and surveillance: A model of study using West Nile, Usutu and Bagaza viruses. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:2100-2106. [PMID: 31150146 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
This study aims at assessing the serological cross-reactions existing between three mosquito-borne flaviviruses with avian reservoirs co-circulating in Europe: West Nile (WNV), Usutu (USUV) and Bagaza (BAGV). The study is useful for a better interpretation of serological results in diagnostics and surveillance. Serum samples obtained from a natural host, the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa), experimentally infected with WNV, USUV or BAGV were analysed using two commercially available WNV competition ELISAs suitable for serological surveillance, and by the confirmatory virus neutralization test (VNT). The ELISAs examined showed different levels of specificity for WNV, as judged by cross-reaction observed with the other flaviviruses. By VNT, virus-specific antibodies were confirmed in 80%, 50% or 0% of sera from WNV-, BAGV-, or USUV-inoculated birds, respectively. The results indicate how the co-circulation of cross-reacting flaviviruses may affect the outcomes of WNV serological surveillance when applying currently available serological tools. On the one hand, the choice of the ELISA test for antibody screening should consider the differences found in specificity, since one test is more specific for WNV while the other one is more suitable for detection of a broader range of flavivirus antibodies. On the other hand, besides corroborating that cross-neutralization occurs between flaviviruses from different serocomplexes (WNV/USUV and BAGV), this study points out that cross-neutralization between WNV and USUV is not symmetric, and reveals the difficulty to identify USUV infections serologically. This finding indicates that actual USUV infections might be underestimated in the current diagnostic schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Llorente
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Spain
| | | | - Elisa Pérez-Ramírez
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Spain
| | - Cristina Cano-Gómez
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Spain
| | | | - Ana Vázquez
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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18
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Benzarti E, Garigliany M, Hauman D, Paternostre J, Linden A, Franssen M, Sarlet M, Cassart D, Desmecht D. First Evidence of Fatal Usutu Virus Natural Infections in an Anatidae, the Common Scoter ( Melanitta nigra). Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:777-780. [PMID: 31135292 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
While fatal infections caused by the Usutu virus appeared to concern only passerines (especially the blackbird) and Strigiformes (especially the great gray owl), we report herein that the virus also naturally causes a fatal disease in an anseriforme species, the common scoter (Melanitta nigra).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emna Benzarti
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH Research Center, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Mutien Garigliany
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH Research Center, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Dany Hauman
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH Research Center, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Julien Paternostre
- Surveillance Network for Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Annick Linden
- Surveillance Network for Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Franssen
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH Research Center, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Michael Sarlet
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH Research Center, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Dominique Cassart
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH Research Center, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Daniel Desmecht
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FARAH Research Center, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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19
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Hemida MG, Perera RAPM, Chu DKW, Ko RLW, Alnaeem AA, Peiris M. West Nile virus infection in horses in Saudi Arabia (in 2013-2015). Zoonoses Public Health 2018; 66:248-253. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maged G. Hemida
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine; King Faisal University; Al-Hasa Saudi Arabia
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Kafrelsheikh University; Kafrelsheikh Egypt
| | | | - Daniel K. W. Chu
- School of Public Health; The University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong China
| | - Ronald L. W. Ko
- School of Public Health; The University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong China
| | - Abdelmohsen A. Alnaeem
- Department of Clinical studies, College of Veterinary Medicine; King Faisal University; Al-Hasa Saudi Arabia
| | - Malik Peiris
- School of Public Health; The University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong China
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20
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Michel F, Fischer D, Eiden M, Fast C, Reuschel M, Müller K, Rinder M, Urbaniak S, Brandes F, Schwehn R, Lühken R, Groschup MH, Ziegler U. West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus Monitoring of Wild Birds in Germany. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15010171. [PMID: 29361762 PMCID: PMC5800270 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
By systematically setting up a unique nation-wide wild bird surveillance network, we monitored migratory and resident birds for zoonotic arthropod-borne virus infections, such as the flaviviruses West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV). More than 1900 wild bird blood samples, from 20 orders and 136 different bird species, were collected between 2014 and 2016. Samples were investigated by WNV and USUV-specific real-time polymerase chain reactions as well as by differentiating virus neutralization tests. Dead bird surveillance data, obtained from organ investigations in 2016, were also included. WNV-specific RNA was not detected, whereas four wild bird blood samples tested positive for USUV-specific RNA. Additionally, 73 USUV-positive birds were detected in the 2016 dead bird surveillance. WNV neutralizing antibodies were predominantly found in long-distance, partial and short-distance migrants, while USUV neutralizing antibodies were mainly detected in resident wild bird species, preferentially with low seroprevalences. To date, WNV-specific RNA has neither been detected in wild birds, nor in mosquitoes, thus, we conclude that WNV is not yet present in Germany. Continued wild bird and mosquito monitoring studies are essential to detect the incursion of zoonotic viruses and to allow risk assessments for zoonotic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Michel
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Dominik Fischer
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Straße 91, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Martin Eiden
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Christine Fast
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Reuschel
- Clinic for Small Mammals, Reptiles and Birds, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, D-30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kerstin Müller
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Clinic, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19 b, D-14163 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Monika Rinder
- Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals, Reptiles and Ornamental Fish, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Sonnenstraße 18, D-85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | - Sylvia Urbaniak
- Birds of Prey Rehab Center Rhineland (Greifvogelhilfe Rheinland), Roermonder Straße 34, D-41379 Brüggen, Germany.
| | - Florian Brandes
- Wildtier-und Artenschutzstation, Hohe Warte 1, D-31553 Sachsenhagen, Germany.
| | - Rebekka Schwehn
- Seehundstation Nationalpark-Haus Norden-Norddeich, Dörper Weg 24, D-26506 Norden, Germany.
| | - Renke Lühken
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhardt-Nocht Straße 74, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friedrich-Loeffler Insitut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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