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Mathews-Martin L, Gonzalez G, Dheilly NM, Amaral-Moraes R, Dumarest M, Helle T, Migne C, Caillot C, Lacour SA, Pérelle S, Beck C, Metras R, Bournez L. Exposure of cattle to tick-borne encephalitis virus in the historical endemic zone in north-eastern France. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:228. [PMID: 38796429 PMCID: PMC11127440 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04079-8] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a severe human neuroinfection caused by TBE virus (TBEV). TBEV is transmitted by tick bites and by the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from infected asymptomatic ruminants. In France, several food-borne transmission events have been reported since 2020, raising the question of the level of exposure of domestic ungulates to TBEV. In this study, our objectives were (i) to estimate TBEV seroprevalence and quantify antibodies titres in cattle in the historical endemic area of TBEV in France using the micro virus neutralisation test (MNT) and (ii) to compare the performance of two veterinary cELISA kits with MNT for detecting anti-TBEV antibodies in cattle in various epidemiological contexts. A total of 344 cattle sera from four grid cells of 100 km² in Alsace-Lorraine (endemic region) and 84 from western France, assumed to be TBEV-free, were investigated. RESULTS In Alsace-Lorraine, cattle were exposed to the virus with an overall estimated seroprevalence of 57.6% (95% CI: 52.1-62.8%, n = 344), varying locally from 29.9% (95% CI: 21.0-40.0%) to 92.1% (95% CI: 84.5-96.8%). Seroprevalence did not increase with age, with one- to three-year-old cattle being as highly exposed as older ones, suggesting a short-life duration of antibodies. The proportion of sera with MNT titres lower than 1:40 per grid cell decreased with increased seroprevalence. Both cELISA kits showed high specificity (> 90%) and low sensitivity (less than 78.1%) compared with MNT. Sensitivity was lower for sera with neutralising antibodies titres below 1:40, suggesting that sensitivity of these tests varied with local virus circulation intensity. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight that cattle were highly exposed to TBEV. Screening strategy and serological tests should be carefully chosen according to the purpose of the serological study and with regard to the limitations of each method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Mathews-Martin
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Widlife, Malzéville, F-54220, France.
- VetAgro Sup, ENSV-FVI, Marcy-L'Étoile, F-69280, France.
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France.
- ANSES, Laboratory for Food Safety, UVE, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France.
| | - Gaëlle Gonzalez
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Nolwenn M Dheilly
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Rayane Amaral-Moraes
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Marine Dumarest
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Teheipuaura Helle
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Camille Migne
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Christophe Caillot
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Widlife, Malzéville, F-54220, France
| | - Sandrine A Lacour
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Sylvie Pérelle
- ANSES, Laboratory for Food Safety, UVE, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Cécile Beck
- ANSES, INRAE, ENVA, UMR Virology, ANSES Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Raphaëlle Metras
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (IPLESP, UMRS, 1136), Paris, F-75012, France
| | - Laure Bournez
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Widlife, Malzéville, F-54220, France.
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2
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Krcmar S, Bogdanic M, Tomljenovic M, Barbic L, Roncevic D, Sabadi D, Vucelja M, Santini M, Hunjak B, Stevanovic V, Boljfetic M, Bjedov L, Masovic V, Potocnik-Hunjadi T, Lakoseljac D, Al-Mufleh M, Savic V. An Overview of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Epidemiology in Endemic Regions of Continental Croatia, 2017-2023. Microorganisms 2024; 12:386. [PMID: 38399790 PMCID: PMC10891638 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020386] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) represents an important public health problem in Europe. We analyzed the epidemiology of TBE based on data from humans, animals, and Ixodes ricinus ticks in endemic regions of continental Croatia. In the period from 2017 to 2023, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples of 684 patients with neuroinvasive diseases, 2240 horse serum samples, and 300 sheep serum samples were tested for TBEV. In addition, 8751 I. ricinus ticks were collected. CSF samples were tested using RT-PCR. Serological tests (serum, CSF) were performed using commercial ELISA, with confirmation of cross-reactive samples by a virus neutralization test. Eighty-four autochthonous human TBEV cases were confirmed. The majority of patients were in the age group of 40-69 years (58.3%) with a male predominance (70.2%). TBE showed a bimodal seasonality with a large peak in April-August and a small one in October-November. In addition to humans, TBEV IgG antibodies were found in 12.2% of horses and 9.7% of sheep. Seasonal tick abundance corresponds to the reported number of human infections. Continental Croatia is still an active natural focus of TBE. Continuous monitoring of infections in humans, sentinel animals, and ticks is needed for the implementation of preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Stjepan Krcmar
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
| | - Maja Bogdanic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Morana Tomljenovic
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (M.T.); (D.R.); (D.L.)
- Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, 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.); (V.M.)
| | - Dobrica Roncevic
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (M.T.); (D.R.); (D.L.)
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Dario Sabadi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
- Medical Faculty, University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marko Vucelja
- Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.V.); (M.B.); (L.B.)
| | - Marija Santini
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljevic”, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Blazenka Hunjak
- Department of Bacteriology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Microbiology, University of Applied Health Sciences, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (V.M.)
| | - Marko Boljfetic
- Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.V.); (M.B.); (L.B.)
| | - Linda Bjedov
- Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.V.); (M.B.); (L.B.)
| | - Viktor Masovic
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.B.); (V.S.); (V.M.)
| | | | - Danijela Lakoseljac
- Department of Epidemiology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (M.T.); (D.R.); (D.L.)
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Mahmoud Al-Mufleh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, County Hospital Cakovec, 40000 Cakovec, Croatia;
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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3
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Topp AK, Springer A, Mischke R, Rieder J, Feige K, Ganter M, Nagel-Kohl U, Nordhoff M, Boelke M, Becker S, Pachnicke S, Schunack B, Dobler G, Strube C. Seroprevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in wild and domestic animals in northern Germany. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102220. [PMID: 37356181 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a tick-transmitted flavivirus, which can infect humans and animals, sometimes even with a fatal outcome. Since many decades, TBEV is endemic in southern Germany, while only sporadic occurrence has been noted in northern parts of the country so far. Nevertheless, autochthonous human clinical cases are increasing in the federal state of Lower Saxony in north-western Germany, and several natural foci of TBEV transmission have recently been detected in this federal state. In order to shed more light on the current distribution of TBEV in Lower Saxony, the present study examined blood samples from wild and domestic animals for antibodies against TBEV. Overall, samples from 4,085 animals were tested by ELISA, including wild boar (N = 1,208), roe deer (N = 149), red deer (N = 61), fallow deer (N = 18), red foxes (N = 9), nutria (N = 9), raccoon dogs (N = 3), raccoons (N = 3), badgers (N = 1), European pine martens (N = 1), horses (N = 574), sheep (N = 266), goats (N = 67), dogs (N = 1,317) and cats (N = 399). Samples with an ELISA result of ≥60 Vienna units (VIEU)/ml were subjected to confirmatory serum neutralization tests (SNT). In total, 343 of 4,085 (8.4%) animals tested positive for anti-TBEV-IgG by ELISA, of which 60 samples were confirmed by SNT. Samples of 89 animals showed a cytotoxic effect in the SNT and were excluded from seroprevalence calculation, resulting in an overall seroprevalence of 1.5% (60/3,996). Seroprevalence was higher among wild animals (wild boar: 2.9% [34/1,190], roe deer: 2.7% [4/149], red deer: 1.7% [1/60], fallow deer: 5.6% [1/18]) than among domestic animals (dogs: 1.1% [15/1,317], horses: 0.8% [4/505], sheep: 0.4% [1/266]). No anti-TBEV-antibodies were detected in the other wild animal species as well as goats and cats. A notable clustering of positive samples was observed in districts where TBEV transmission foci have been described. Further clusters in other districts suggest the existence of so far undetected transmission foci, underlining the fact that both wild and domestic animals are useful sentinels for monitoring the spread of TBEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Katharina Topp
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Reinhard Mischke
- Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Johanna Rieder
- Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Karsten Feige
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30173, Germany
| | - Uschi Nagel-Kohl
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Veterinary Institute Hannover, Hannover 30173, Germany
| | - Marcel Nordhoff
- Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Food and Veterinary Institute Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26133, Germany
| | - Matthias Boelke
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Stefanie Becker
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | | | - Bettina Schunack
- Elanco Animal Health, Bayer Animal Health GmbH, Monheim 40789, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- National Reference Laboratory for TBEV, Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich 80937, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, Hannover 30559, Germany.
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4
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Laabassi F, Dheilly N, Beck C, Amaral R, Gonzalez G, Gaudaire D, Madeline A, Lecouturier F, Lecollinet S, Zientara S, Hans A, Valle-Casuso JC. Serological evidence of circulation of West Nile virus in equids in Algerian eastern drylands and its epidemiological risk factors. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 94:101947. [PMID: 36638646 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.101947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In order to determine the prevalence of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), Usutu virus (USUV), and West Nile virus (WNV) in eastern Algerian drylands, 340 sera from distinct equids have been collected from 2015 to 2017. Serological analysis for the presence of antibodies against EIAV and flaviviruses was performed using commercially available ELISAs. Sera detected positive, doubtful, or negative close to the doubtful threshold in flavivirus ELISA were tested by the virus neutralization test (VNT), using WNV and USUV strains. The prevalence of WNV antibodies with ELISA was 11.47% (39/340) against 13.53% (46/340) by WNV VNT. EIAV antibodies were not detected in any samples. WNV seroprevalence varies with species, breed and location of horses. Only, one equid was positive for both WNV and USUV neutralizing antibodies. This is the first screening on equids sera of EIAV and USUV in Algeria. This study indicate that WNV and possibly USUV have circulated/are circulating in the Algerian equine population, unlike EIAV does not seem to be present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farouk Laabassi
- PIAD Research Team, ESPA Laboratory, Department of Veterinary, Institute of Veterinary Sciences and Agronomics Sciences, University of Batna-1, 05000 Batna, Algeria.
| | - Nolwenn Dheilly
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Cécile Beck
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Rayane Amaral
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Gaëlle Gonzalez
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Delphine Gaudaire
- ANSES-Laboratory for Animal Health in Normandy, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, Goustranville, France.
| | - Anthony Madeline
- ANSES-Laboratory for Animal Health in Normandy, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, Goustranville, France.
| | - Fanny Lecouturier
- ANSES-Laboratory for Animal Health in Normandy, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, Goustranville, France.
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Stéphan Zientara
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Aymeric Hans
- ANSES-Laboratory for Animal Health in Normandy, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, Goustranville, France.
| | - José-Carlos Valle-Casuso
- ANSES-Laboratory for Animal Health in Normandy, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, Goustranville, France.
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5
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Cavalleri JV, Korbacska‐Kutasi O, Leblond A, Paillot R, Pusterla N, Steinmann E, Tomlinson J. European College of Equine Internal Medicine consensus statement on equine flaviviridae infections in Europe. Vet Med (Auckl) 2022; 36:1858-1871. [DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessika‐M. V. Cavalleri
- Clinical Unit of Equine Internal Medicine, Department for Companion Animals and Horses University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Orsolya Korbacska‐Kutasi
- Clinical Unit of Equine Internal Medicine, Department for Companion Animals and Horses University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Vienna Austria
- Department for Animal Breeding, Nutrition and Laboratory Animal Science University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest Hungary
- Hungarian Academy of Sciences—Szent Istvan University (MTA‐SZIE) Large Animal Clinical Research Group Üllő Dóra major Hungary
| | - Agnès Leblond
- EPIA, UMR 0346, Epidemiologie des maladies animales et zoonotiques, INRAE, VetAgro Sup University of Lyon Marcy l'Etoile France
| | - Romain Paillot
- School of Equine and Veterinary Physiotherapy Writtle University College Chelmsford UK
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine University of California Davis California USA
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine Ruhr University Bochum Bochum Germany
| | - Joy Tomlinson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Ithaca New York USA
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6
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Magouras I, Schoster A, Fouché N, Gerber V, Groschup MH, Ziegler U, Fricker R, Griot C, Vögtlin A. Neurological disease suspected to be caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus infection in 6 horses in Switzerland. J Vet Intern Med 2022; 36:2254-2262. [PMID: 36093849 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports on acute tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infections with signs of neurologic disease in horses are limited. OBJECTIVES To describe the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings of suspected acute TBEV infections in 6 horses. ANIMALS Six horses originating from TBEV endemic regions of Switzerland were presented to equine hospitals with acute onset of neurologic disease between 2011 and 2019. METHODS Retrospective case series. Horses with acute onset of signs of neurologic disease that were subjected to clinical and microbiological examinations to rule out infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system. RESULTS All horses exhibited acute signs of neurologic disease including ataxia and proprioceptive deficits. Horses tested positive for TBEV using virus neutralization test and samples were further tested for TBEV-specific IgM. The presence of TBEV-specific IgM antibodies was confirmed in 5 horses (cases 1-5, Laboratory Unit [LU] values ranging from 30 to 56). One horse (case no. 6) with an LU value just below the test threshold (LU = 22.3) was also included under the hypothesis that the horse was transitioning from acute to chronic infection. All horses originated from areas where humans with confirmed tick-borne encephalitis reported to have been bitten by ticks. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Acute TBEV infection should be a differential diagnosis in horses with signs of neurologic disease and originating from TBEV endemic areas. The establishment of harmonized diagnostic criteria would help to overcome the diagnostic challenges associated with TBEV and other Flavivirus infections in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Magouras
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice, Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Angelika Schoster
- Clinic for Equine Internal Medicine, Equine Department, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Fouché
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vinzenz Gerber
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Raffael Fricker
- Institute for Virology and Immunology IVI, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, University of Bern, Mittelhäusern and Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Griot
- Institute for Virology and Immunology IVI, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, University of Bern, Mittelhäusern and Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Vögtlin
- Institute for Virology and Immunology IVI, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, University of Bern, Mittelhäusern and Bern, Switzerland
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7
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Bai Y, Zhang Y, Su Z, Tang S, Wang J, Wu Q, Yang J, Moming A, Zhang Y, Bell-Sakyi L, Sun S, Shen S, Deng F. Discovery of Tick-Borne Karshi Virus Implies Misinterpretation of the Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Seroprevalence in Northwest China. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:872067. [PMID: 35685931 PMCID: PMC9173002 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.872067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite few human cases of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), high rates of TBEV seroprevalence were reported among humans and animals in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Northwestern China. In this study, the Karshi virus (KSIV) was identified and isolated from Hyalomma asiaticum ticks in Xinjiang. It belongs to the genus Flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae and is closely related to TBEV. KSIV infects cell lines from humans, other mammals and ticks, and causes encephalitis in suckling mice. High minimum infection rates (4.96%) with KSIV were detected among tick groups. KSIV infections have occurred in sheep and marmots, resulting in antibody-positive rates of 2.43 and 2.56%, respectively. We further found that, of the KSIV antibody-positive serum samples from animals, 13.9% had TBEV exposure showing cross-reaction to KSIV, and 11.1% had KSIV infection resulting in cross-reaction to TBEV; 8.3% were likely to have co-exposure to both viruses (or may be infected with one of them and present cross-reactivity with the other). The results revealed a substantial KSIV prevalence among ticks in Xinjiang, indicating exposure of animals to KSIV and TBEV. The findings implied misinterpretation of the high rates of TBEV seroprevalence among humans and animals in previous studies. There is a need to develop detection methods to distinguish KSIV from TBEV and to perform an in-depth investigation of KSIV and TBEV prevalence and incidence in Northwestern China, which would enhance our preparation to provide medical treatment of emerging diseases caused by tick-borne viral pathogens such as KSIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengyuan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiaoli Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Juan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Abulimiti Moming
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yujiang Zhang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Surong Sun
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Shu Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and National Virus Resource Centre, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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8
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Gonzalez G, Bournez L, Moraes RA, Marine D, Galon C, Vorimore F, Cochin M, Nougairède A, Hennechart-Collette C, Perelle S, Leparc-Goffart I, Durand GA, Grard G, Bénet T, Danjou N, Blanchin M, Lacour SA, Franck B, Chenut G, Mainguet C, Simon C, Brémont L, Zientara S, Moutailler S, Martin-Latil S, Dheilly NM, Beck C, Lecollinet S. A One-Health Approach to Investigating an Outbreak of Alimentary Tick-Borne Encephalitis in a Non-endemic Area in France (Ain, Eastern France): A Longitudinal Serological Study in Livestock, Detection in Ticks, and the First Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Isolation and Molecular Characterisation. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:863725. [PMID: 35479640 PMCID: PMC9037541 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.863725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus’ (TBEV) geographic range and the human incidence are increasing throughout Europe, putting a number of non-endemic regions and countries at risk of outbreaks. In spring 2020, there was an outbreak of tick-born encephalitis (TBE) in Ain, Eastern France, where the virus had never been detected before. All patients but one had consumed traditional unpasteurised raw goat cheese from a local producer. We conducted an investigation in the suspected farm using an integrative One Health approach. Our methodology included (i) the detection of virus in cheese and milk products, (ii) serological testing of all animals in the suspected farm and surrounding farms, (iii) an analysis of the landscape and localisation of wooded area, (iv) the capture of questing ticks and small mammals for virus detection and estimating enzootic hazard, and (v) virus isolation and genome sequencing. This approach allowed us to confirm the alimentary origin of the TBE outbreak and witness in real-time the seroconversion of recently exposed individuals and excretion of virus in goat milk. In addition, we identified a wooded focus area where and around which there is a risk of TBEV exposure. We provide the first TBEV isolate responsible for the first alimentary-transmitted TBE in France, obtained its full-length genome sequence, and found that it belongs to the European subtype of TBEV. TBEV is now a notifiable human disease in France, which should facilitate surveillance of its incidence and distribution throughout France.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Gonzalez
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Laure Bournez
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Malzéville, France
| | - Rayane Amaral Moraes
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Dumarest Marine
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Clémence Galon
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Fabien Vorimore
- Bacterial Zoonosis Unit, Laboratory for Animal Health, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, Paris-Est University, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Cochin
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Antoine Nougairède
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | | | - Sylvie Perelle
- ANSES Laboratory for Food Safety, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Isabelle Leparc-Goffart
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,French National Reference Centre for Arbovirus, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Guillaume André Durand
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,French National Reference Centre for Arbovirus, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Gilda Grard
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,French National Reference Centre for Arbovirus, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Marseille, France
| | - Thomas Bénet
- Santé Publique France, French Public Health Agency, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Office, Lyon, France
| | - Nathalie Danjou
- Regional Health Agency (Agence Régionale de Santé), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Lyon, France
| | - Martine Blanchin
- Regional Health Agency (Agence Régionale de Santé), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Lyon, France
| | - Sandrine A Lacour
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Boué Franck
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Malzéville, France
| | - Guillaume Chenut
- Local Health Authority, Direction Départementale de la Protection de la Population de l'Ain, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
| | - Catherine Mainguet
- Local Health Authority, Direction Départementale de la Protection de la Population de l'Ain, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
| | - Catherine Simon
- Local Health Authority, Direction Départementale de la Protection de la Population de l'Ain, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
| | - Laurence Brémont
- Local Health Authority, Direction Départementale de la Protection de la Population de l'Ain, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
| | - Stephan Zientara
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sandra Martin-Latil
- ANSES Laboratory for Food Safety, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Nolwenn M Dheilly
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Cécile Beck
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR VIROLOGIE, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
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9
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Ličková M, Fumačová Havlíková S, Sláviková M, Klempa B. Alimentary Infections by Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus. Viruses 2021; 14:56. [PMID: 35062261 PMCID: PMC8779402 DOI: 10.3390/v14010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes serious the neurological disease, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). TBEV can be transmitted to humans by ticks as well as by the alimentary route, which is mediated through the consumption of raw milk products from infected ruminants such as sheep, goats, and cows. The alimentary route of TBEV was recognized in the early 1950s and many important experimental studies were performed shortly thereafter. Nowadays, alimentary TBEV infections are recognized as a relevant factor contributing to the overall increase in TBE incidences in Europe. This review aims to summarize the history and current extent of alimentary TBEV infections across Europe, to analyze experimental data on virus secretion in milk, and to review possible alimentary infection preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Boris Klempa
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.L.); (S.F.H.); (M.S.)
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10
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Conze TM, Bagó Z, Revilla-Fernández S, Schlegel J, Goehring LS, Matiasek K. Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV) Infection in Two Horses. Viruses 2021; 13:1775. [PMID: 34578356 PMCID: PMC8472121 DOI: 10.3390/v13091775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A final diagnosis in a horse with clinical signs of encephalopathy can be challenging despite the use of extensive diagnostics. Clinical signs are often not pathognomonic and need to be interpreted in combination with (specific) laboratory results and epidemiological data of the geographical region of the origin of the case(s). Here we describe the diagnostic pathway of tick-borne encephalitis virus infection in two horses using established molecular diagnostic methods and a novel in situ hybridization technique to differentiate between regionally important/emerging diseases for central Europe: (i) hepatoencephalopathy, (ii) Borna disease virus, and (iii) West Nile virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Maria Conze
- Equine Medicine and Reproduction, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Veterinärstraße 13, 80539 Munich, Germany;
| | - Zoltán Bagó
- Institute for Veterinary Disease Control Mödling, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety GmbH (AGES), IVET, 2340 Mödling, Austria; (Z.B.); (S.R.-F.)
| | - Sandra Revilla-Fernández
- Institute for Veterinary Disease Control Mödling, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety GmbH (AGES), IVET, 2340 Mödling, Austria; (Z.B.); (S.R.-F.)
| | - Jürgen Schlegel
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Trogerstraße 18, 81675 Munich, Germany;
| | - Lutz S. Goehring
- Equine Medicine and Reproduction, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Veterinärstraße 13, 80539 Munich, Germany;
| | - Kaspar Matiasek
- Section of Clinical and Comparative Neuropathology, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Veterinärstraße 13, 80539 Munich, Germany
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11
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Bulk Milk Tank Samples Are Suitable to Assess Circulation of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus in High Endemic Areas. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091772. [PMID: 34578353 PMCID: PMC8472847 DOI: 10.3390/v13091772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A reliable surveillance strategy of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is necessary to ensure adequate disease control measures. However, current approaches assessing geographical TBEV circulation are ineffective or have significant limitations. In this study we investigated a total of 1363 goat and 312 sheep bulk tank milk samples for the presence of TBEV. Samples were collected from systematically selected farms in Lithuania every 4–5 days from April to November in 2018 and 2019. To validate results, we additionally tested 2685 questing ticks collected in the vicinity of milk collection sites. We found 4.25% (95% CI 3.25–5.47) and 4.48% (95% CI 2.47–7.41) goat and sheep milk samples to be positive for TBEV, respectively. Furthermore, geographical distribution of TBEV in milk samples coincided with the known TBE endemic zone and was correlated with incidence of TBE in humans in 2019. When sampling time coincides, TBEV detection in milk samples is as good a method as via flagged ticks, however bulk milk samples can be easier to obtain more frequently and regularly than tick samples. The minimal infectious rate (MIR) in ticks was 0.34% (CI 95% 0.15–0.64). Therefore, our results confirm that testing milk serves as a valuable tool to investigate the spatial distribution of TBEV at higher resolution and lower cost.
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12
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Krzysiak MK, Anusz K, Konieczny A, Rola J, Salat J, Strakova P, Olech W, Larska M. The European bison (Bison bonasus) as an indicatory species for the circulation of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in natural foci in Poland. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101799. [PMID: 34358779 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in Europe transmitted by Ixodidae vectors. While small mammals such as bank voles and ticks constitute the main reservoirs for virus transmission, large sylvatic species act as a food source for ticks. Cervids such as roe deer and red deer are considered sentinel species for TBE in natural foci. In addition, an increase of the population size and density of large wild mammals in an area corresponds to an increase in the tick burden and may potentially increase the prevalence of TBE virus (TBEV) in ticks and tick hosts and further exposure risk in humans. Humans are considered accidental hosts. The prevalence of TBE relies on interactions between host, vector and environment. The present study examines the exposure of the largest European herbivore, the European bison (Bison bonasus) to TBEV infection. Assessed using the IMMUNOZYM FSME ELISA (PROGEN), the overall TBEV seroprevalence was 62.7% in the 335 European bison that were studied. ELISA results were confirmed by the gold-standard virus neutralization test (VNT) with 98.7% sensitivity and thus giving a true prevalence of 63.5%. TBEV seroprevalence was significantly correlated to the origin, age group, sex, population type (free living/captive) and sanitary status (healthy/selectively eliminated/found dead/killed in accident) of the European bison in the univariable analysis. The highest seroprevalences were observed in the three largest north-eastern wild populations (Białowieska, Borecka and Knyszyńska forests), which corresponded with the highest incidence of human cases reported in the country. The risk of TBEV seropositivity increased with age and was higher in female and free-ranging European bison. Additionally, to the epidemiological investigation, the continuous detection of TBEV antibodies was studied by repetitive testing of animals over the course of 34 months. Two of six seropositive animals remained seropositive throughout the study. The presence of antibodies was followed throughout the study in seropositive European bison and for at least a year in animals that seroconverted during the observation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał K Krzysiak
- Białowieża National Park, Park Pałacowy 11, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland; Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Forest Sciences, Białystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45 E, 15-351, Białystok, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Anusz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University Of Life Sciences (WULS), ul. Nowoursynowska 166, Warszawa 02-786, Poland
| | - Andrzej Konieczny
- Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Live Sciences, ul. Akademicka 13, Lublin 20-950, Poland
| | - Jerzy Rola
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, AL. Partyzantów 57, Pulawy 24-100, Poland
| | - Jiri Salat
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, Brno 621 00, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, Ceské Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Strakova
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, Brno 621 00, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, Ceské Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Wanda Olech
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Science (WULS), ul. Ciszewskiego 8, Warszawa 02-786, Poland
| | - Magdalena Larska
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, AL. Partyzantów 57, Pulawy 24-100, Poland
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13
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Clinical Presentation and Laboratory Diagnostic Work-Up of a Horse with Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Switzerland. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081474. [PMID: 34452340 PMCID: PMC8402657 DOI: 10.3390/v13081474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis is an important viral tick-borne zoonosis in Europe and Asia. The disease is induced by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). This report describes a 16-year-old Warmblood gelding presenting with sudden onset of lethargy, ataxia, and muscle fasciculations on the nostrils, the lips, and the eye lids as the most important clinical findings. The horse further had a mild facial nerve paralysis with drooping of the right upper and lower lip. Diagnosis was based on paired serum samples using TBEV-ELISAs revealing high serum IgM in the first sample with normal IgM in the second sample and an increase in serum IgG and neutralizing antibodies, indicating acute and recent infection. TBEV was confirmed by a virus-neutralization test, revealing a fivefold increase in antibodies 32 days after of the onset of clinical signs. Although the specific PCR on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was negative, TBEV-specific IgG and IgM were identified in the CSF of the horse. Treatment consisted of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative treatment and the horse recovered with a mild drooping of the right nostril as the only remaining clinical sign. TBEV infection is a potential differential diagnosis of neurological disease in horses living in endemic areas and this is the first report to describe the diagnostic criteria in a horse as recommended in humans with suspected TBEV infection.
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14
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LOUPING-ILL VIRUS SEROSURVEY OF WILLOW PTARMIGAN (LAGOPUS LAGOPUS LAGOPUS) IN NORWAY. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:282-291. [PMID: 33822153 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In Norway, the Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus lagopus) is experiencing population declines and is nationally Red Listed as Near Threatened. Although disease has not generally been regarded as an important factor behind population fluctuations for Willow Ptarmigan in Norway, disease occurrence has been poorly investigated. Both louping-ill virus (LIV) and the closely related tick-borne encephalitis virus are found along the southern part of the Norwegian coast. We assessed whether and where Norwegian Willow Ptarmigan populations have been infected with LIV. We expected to find infected individuals in populations in the southernmost part of the country. We did not expect to find infected individuals in populations further north and at higher altitudes because of the absence of the main vector, the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus). We collected serum samples on Nobuto filter paper and used a hemagglutination inhibition assay for antibodies against LIV. We collected data at both local and country-wide levels. For local sampling, we collected and analyzed 87 hunter-collected samples from one of the southernmost Willow Ptarmigan populations in Norway. Of these birds, only three positives (3.4%) were found. For the country-wide sampling, we collected serum samples from 163 Willow Ptarmigan carcasses submitted from selected locations all over the country. Of these birds, 32% (53) were seropositive for LIV or a cross-reacting virus. Surprisingly, we found seropositive individuals from locations across the whole country, including outside the known distribution of the sheep tick. These results suggest that either LIV or a cross-reacting virus infects ptarmigan in large parts of Norway, including at high altitudes and latitudes.
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Bauer BU, Könenkamp L, Stöter M, Wolf A, Ganter M, Steffen I, Runge M. Increasing awareness for tick-borne encephalitis virus using small ruminants as suitable sentinels: Preliminary observations. One Health 2021; 12:100227. [PMID: 33732862 PMCID: PMC7937955 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is one of the most common zoonotic vector-borne infections in Europe. An appropriate awareness is crucial to react quickly and efficiently to protect humans from this pathogen. From winter 2017 until spring 2018 serum samples were collected from 71 small ruminant flocks (3174 animals) in five German federal states. The sera were examined for TBEV antibodies by ELISA and serum neutralization test. In the TBEV risk areas, there was a coincidence in 14 districts between seropositive small ruminants and the occurrence of human TBE cases in 2017. In eight districts, the TBEV infection could not be detected in small ruminants although human cases were reported. In contrast, in five districts, small ruminants tested TBEV seropositive without notified human TBE cases in 2017. A changing pattern of TBEV circulation in the environment was observed by the absence of antibodies in a defined high-risk area. In the non-TBE risk areas, seropositive small ruminants were found in five districts. In two districts with a low human incidence the infection was missed by the small ruminant sentinels. An intra-herd prevalence of 12.5% was determined in a goat flock in the non-TBE risk area in 2017, two years prior the first autochthone human case was reported. All sheep and goats in this flock were examined for TBEV antibodies for three years. Individual follow-up of twelve small ruminants was possible and revealed mostly a short lifespan of TBEV antibodies of less than one year. The probability to identify TBEV seropositive sheep flocks was enhanced in flocks kept for landscape conservation or which were shepherded (p < 0.05). Our preliminary observations clearly demonstrated the successful utilization of small ruminants as sentinel animals for TBEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin U. Bauer
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Laura Könenkamp
- Institute for Biochemistry and Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Melanie Stöter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Annika Wolf
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Imke Steffen
- Institute for Biochemistry and Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Runge
- Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES), Eintrachtweg 17, 30173 Hannover, Germany
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16
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Pautienius A, Armonaite A, Simkute E, Zagrabskaite R, Buitkuviene J, Alpizar-Jara R, Grigas J, Zakiene I, Zienius D, Salomskas A, Stankevicius A. Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence and Factors Influencing Occurrence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Horses in Lithuania. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020140. [PMID: 33572628 PMCID: PMC7911650 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Various animal species have been evaluated in depth for their potential as Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) sentinel species, although evidence for equine capacity is incomplete. Therefore, a comprehensive cross-sectional stratified serosurvey and PCR analysis of selected horses (n = 301) were performed in TBEV endemic localities in Lithuania. Attached and moving ticks (n = 241) have been collected from aforementioned hosts to evaluate natural infectivity of TBEV vectors (Ixodes spp.) in the recreational environments surrounding equestrian centers. All samples were screened for TBEV IgG and positive samples were confirmed by virus neutralization test (VNT). 113 (37.5%) horses from all counties of Lithuania tested positive for TBEV IgG, revealing age and sex indifferent results of equine seroprevalence that were significantly dependent on pedigree: horses of mixed breed were more susceptible to infection possibly due to their management practices. TBEV prevalence in equine species corresponded to TBEV-confirmed human cases in the precedent year. As much as 3.9% of horses were viraemic with TBEV-RNA with subsequent confirmation of TBEV European subtype. 4/38 of tested tick pools were positive for TBEV-RNA (Minimal infectious rate 1.2%). Several unknown microfoci were revealed during the study indicating areas of extreme risk close to popular human entertainment sites. The study provides important evidence in favor of horses’ usage as sentinel species, as equines could provide more detailed epidemiological mapping of TBEV, as well as more efficient collection of ticks for surveillance studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnoldas Pautienius
- Virology Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania;
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.A.); (E.S.); (I.Z.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Austeja Armonaite
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.A.); (E.S.); (I.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Evelina Simkute
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.A.); (E.S.); (I.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Ruta Zagrabskaite
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, J. Kairiukscio Str. 10, LT-08409 Vilnius, Lithuania; (R.Z.); (J.B.)
| | - Jurate Buitkuviene
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, J. Kairiukscio Str. 10, LT-08409 Vilnius, Lithuania; (R.Z.); (J.B.)
| | - Russell Alpizar-Jara
- Research Center in Mathematics and Applications (CIMA-UE), Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Department of Mathematics, School of Science and Technology, University of Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal;
| | - Juozas Grigas
- Virology Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania;
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.A.); (E.S.); (I.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Indre Zakiene
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.A.); (E.S.); (I.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Dainius Zienius
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Algirdas Salomskas
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Arunas Stankevicius
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.A.); (E.S.); (I.Z.); (A.S.)
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17
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Springer A, Glass A, Topp AK, Strube C. Zoonotic Tick-Borne Pathogens in Temperate and Cold Regions of Europe-A Review on the Prevalence in Domestic Animals. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:604910. [PMID: 33363242 PMCID: PMC7758354 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.604910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks transmit a variety of pathogens affecting both human and animal health. In temperate and cold regions of Europe (Western, Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe), the most relevant zoonotic tick-borne pathogens are tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. More rarely, Rickettsia spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and zoonotic Babesia spp. are identified as a cause of human disease. Domestic animals may also be clinically affected by these pathogens, and, furthermore, can be regarded as sentinel hosts for their occurrence in a certain area, or even play a role as reservoirs or amplifying hosts. For example, viraemic ruminants may transmit TBEV to humans via raw milk products. This review summarizes the role of domestic animals, including ruminants, horses, dogs, and cats, in the ecology of TBEV, Borrelia spp., A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., N. mikurensis, and zoonotic Babesia species. It gives an overview on the (sero-)prevalence of these infectious agents in domestic animals in temperate/cold regions of Europe, based on 148 individual prevalence studies. Meta-analyses of seroprevalence in asymptomatic animals estimated an overall seroprevalence of 2.7% for TBEV, 12.9% for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), 16.2% for A. phagocytophilum and 7.4% for Babesia divergens, with a high level of heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses with regard to animal species, diagnostic test, geographical region and decade of sampling were mostly non-significant, with the exception of significantly lower B. burgdorferi s.l. seroprevalences in dogs than in horses and cattle. More surveillance studies employing highly sensitive and specific test methods and including hitherto non-investigated regions are needed to determine if and how global changes in terms of climate, land use, agricultural practices and human behavior impact the frequency of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
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18
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Khamassi Khbou M, Romdhane R, Foughali AA, Sassi L, Suin V, Rekik M, Benzarti M. Presence of antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus in sheep in Tunisia, North Africa. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:441. [PMID: 33183295 PMCID: PMC7664096 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02651-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEv) is a flavivirus that circulates in a complex cycle involving small mammals as amplifying hosts and ticks as vectors and reservoirs. The current study aimed to investigate the presence of TBEv in Tunisian sheep. A sample of 263 adult sheep were selected from 6 localities where Ixodes ricinus is well established. Sera were screened using ELISA for TBEv IgG detection, then the doubtful and positive sera were tested by the seroneutralisation test (SNT) and screened for West Nile Virus (WNv) IgG for cross-reaction assessment. RESULTS The ELISA for TBEv IgG detected one positive serum and 17 borderlines. The SNT showed one positive serum among the 18 tested, giving an overall antibody prevalence of 0.38% (95% CI = 0.07-2.12%). All but one serum tested negative to WNv ELISA. None of the sheep farmers reported neurological signs among sheep or humans in their households. CONCLUSIONS The results may indicate the circulation of TBEv for the first time in Tunisia and in North Africa. Further studies based on either virus isolation or RNA detection, are needed to confirm the presence of TBEv in North Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Médiha Khamassi Khbou
- Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Zoonosis and Sanitary Regulation, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
| | - Rihab Romdhane
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Asma Amina Foughali
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Limam Sassi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Vanessa Suin
- Viral Diseases Service, Sciensano. Rue Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mourad Rekik
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 950764, 11195, Amman, Jordan
| | - M'hammed Benzarti
- Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Zoonosis and Sanitary Regulation, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
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19
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Deviatkin AA, Karganova GG, Vakulenko YA, Lukashev AN. TBEV Subtyping in Terms of Genetic Distance. Viruses 2020; 12:E1240. [PMID: 33142676 PMCID: PMC7692686 DOI: 10.3390/v12111240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, the lowest formal taxon in virus classification is species; however, unofficial lower-level units are commonly used in everyday work. Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a species of mammalian tick-borne flaviviruses that may cause encephalitis. Many known representatives of TBEV are grouped into subtypes, mostly according to their phylogenetic relationship. However, the emergence of novel sequences could dissolve this phylogenetic grouping; in the absence of strict quantitative criterion, it may be hard to define the borders of the first TBEV taxonomic unit below the species level. In this study, the nucleotide/amino-acid space of all known TBEV sequences was analyzed. Amino-acid sequence p-distances could not reliably distinguish TBEV subtypes. Viruses that differed by less than 10% of nucleotides in the polyprotein-coding gene belonged to the same subtype. At the same time, more divergent viruses were representatives of different subtypes. According to this distance criterion, TBEV species may be divided into seven subtypes: TBEV-Eur, TBEV-Sib, TBEV-FE, TBEV-2871 (TBEV-Ob), TBEV-Him, TBEV-178-79 (TBEV-Bkl-1), and TBEV-886-84 (TBEV-Bkl-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei A. Deviatkin
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119048 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Galina G. Karganova
- Department of Organization and Technology of Immunobiological Preparations, Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Biology of Arboviruses, Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides (FSBSI “Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS), 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia A. Vakulenko
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119435 Moscow, Russia;
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander N. Lukashev
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119048 Moscow, Russia;
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119435 Moscow, Russia;
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20
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Camino E, Schmid S, Weber F, Pozo P, de Juan L, König M, Cruz-Lopez F. Detection of antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis flaviviruses in breeding and sport horses from Spain. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101487. [PMID: 32723662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and louping-ill virus (LIV) are two closely related zoonotic flaviviruses leading to neurological diseases and belonging to the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) serocomplex. Both viruses are transmitted by the same ixodid tick vector, Ixodes ricinus. Due to global warming affecting vector biology and pathogen transmission, the viruses pose an emerging threat for public health in Europe and Asia. These flaviviruses share some hosts, like sheep, goats and humans, although the main hosts for LIV and TBEV are sheep and small rodents, respectively. Whereas LIV has been detected in Spanish sheep and goat herds, circulating antibodies against TBEV have only been reported in dogs and horses from particular regions in this country. The limited available information about the prevalence of these viruses in Spain led us to investigate the serological evidence of TBE flaviviruses in horses from Spain. Serum neutralization tests (SNT) were performed using sera from 495 breeding and sport horses collected during two periods (2011-2013 and 2015-2016). A seroprevalence of 3.1 % (95 % CI 1.5-4.6) was found and cross-reactivity with West Nile virus was excluded in the positive samples. Sport horses showed a significantly higher TBE serocomplex seropositivity compared to breeding horses. An increased seroprevalence was observed in the second sampling period (2015-2016). Our results demonstrate for the first time the presence of antibodies against TBE flaviviruses in horses residing in mainland Spain; further epidemiological surveys are necessary in order to understand and monitor the active transmission of TBE flaviviruses in this country and rule out the presence of other flaviviruses co-circulating in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Camino
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Animal Health Department, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Schmid
- Institute of Virology. Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - F Weber
- Institute of Virology. Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - P Pozo
- MAEVA SERVET, S.L., Alameda del Valle, Spain
| | - L de Juan
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Animal Health Department, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - M König
- Institute of Virology. Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - F Cruz-Lopez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
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21
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Wallenhammar A, Lindqvist R, Asghar N, Gunaltay S, Fredlund H, Davidsson Å, Andersson S, Överby AK, Johansson M. Revealing new tick-borne encephalitis virus foci by screening antibodies in sheep milk. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:185. [PMID: 32268924 PMCID: PMC7140392 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04030-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tick distribution in Sweden has increased in recent years, with the prevalence of ticks predicted to spread towards the northern parts of the country, thus increasing the risk of tick-borne zoonoses in new regions. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most significant viral tick-borne zoonotic disease in Europe. The disease is caused by TBE virus (TBEV) infection which often leads to severe encephalitis and myelitis in humans. TBEV is usually transmitted to humans via tick bites; however, the virus can also be excreted in the milk of goats, sheep and cattle and infection may then occur via consumption of unpasteurised dairy products. Virus prevalence in questing ticks is an unreliable indicator of TBE infection risk as viral RNA is rarely detected even in large sample sizes collected at TBE-endemic areas. Hence, there is a need for robust surveillance techniques to identify emerging TBEV risk areas at early stages. Methods Milk and colostrum samples were collected from sheep and goats in Örebro County, Sweden. The milk samples were analysed for the presence of TBEV antibodies by ELISA and validated by western blot in which milk samples were used to detect over-expressed TBEV E-protein in crude cell extracts. Neutralising titers were determined by focus reduction neutralisation test (FRNT). The stability of TBEV in milk and colostrum was studied at different temperatures. Results In this study we have developed a novel strategy to identify new TBEV foci. By monitoring TBEV antibodies in milk, we have identified three previously unknown foci in Örebro County which also overlap with areas of TBE infection reported during 2009–2018. In addition, our data indicates that keeping unpasteurised milk at 4 °C will preserve the infectivity of TBEV for several days. Conclusions Altogether, we report a non-invasive surveillance technique for revealing risk areas for TBE in Sweden, by detecting TBEV antibodies in sheep milk. This approach is robust and reliable and can accordingly be used to map TBEV “hotspots”. TBEV infectivity in refrigerated milk was preserved, emphasising the importance of pasteurisation (i.e. 72 °C for 15 s) prior to consumption.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Wallenhammar
- School of Medical Sciences, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Richard Lindqvist
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Naveed Asghar
- School of Medical Sciences, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Sezin Gunaltay
- School of Medical Sciences, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Lydia Becker Institiute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Hans Fredlund
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Åke Davidsson
- School of Medical Sciences, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Sören Andersson
- School of Medical Sciences, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Anna K Överby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Magnus Johansson
- School of Medical Sciences, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
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22
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Gejji V, Svoboda P, Stefanik M, Wang H, Salat J, Eyer L, Ruzek D, Fernando S. An RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor for tick-borne encephalitis virus. Virology 2020; 546:13-19. [PMID: 32452412 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a medically important representative of the Flaviviridae family. The TBEV genome encodes a single polyprotein, which is co/post-translationally cleaved into three structural and seven non-structural proteins. Of the non-structural proteins, NS5, contains an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain that is highly conserved and is responsible for the genome replication. Screening for potential antivirals was done using a hybrid receptor and ligand-based pharmacophore search likely targeting the RdRp domain. For the identification of pharmacophores, a mixture of small probe molecules and nucleotide triphosphates were used. The ligand/receptor interaction screenings of structures from the ZINC database resulted in five compounds. Zinc 3677 and 7151 exhibited lower cytotoxicity and were tested for their antiviral effect against TBEV in vitro. Zinc 3677 inhibited TBEV at micromolar concentrations. The results indicate that Zinc 3677 represents a good target for structure-activity optimizations leading potentially to a discovery of effective TBEV antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Gejji
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, United States
| | - Pavel Svoboda
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Stefanik
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Haoqi Wang
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, United States
| | - Jiri Salat
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Eyer
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Ruzek
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Sandun Fernando
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, United States.
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23
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Alfano N, Tagliapietra V, Rosso F, Ziegler U, Arnoldi D, Rizzoli A. Tick-borne encephalitis foci in northeast Italy revealed by combined virus detection in ticks, serosurvey on goats and human cases. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020; 9:474-484. [PMID: 32100632 PMCID: PMC7054962 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1730246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a severe zoonotic neurological disease endemic in northeast Italy since 1992. In the Province of Trento, a sharp increase in TBE incidence has been recorded since 2012, despite the vaccination efforts. To assess current TBE infection hazard in this area, we applied an integrated approach combining the distribution of human cases, the seroprevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in sentinel hosts and the screening of questing ticks for TBEV. A total of 706 goat sera from 69 farms were screened for TBEV-specific antibodies resulting in 5 positive farms, while the location of human cases was provided by the local Public Health Agency. Tick sampling was concentrated in areas where TBEV circulation was suggested by either seroprevalence in goats or human cases, resulting in 2,410 Ixodes ricinus collected and analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Four tick samples from 2 areas with record of human cases were positive to TBEV corresponding to a 0.17% prevalence in the region, while risk areas suggested by serology on goats were not confirmed by tick screening. Our results revealed an increase in TBEV prevalence in ticks and the emergence of new active TBE foci, compared to previous surveys, and demonstrated the importance of an integrated approach for TBE risk assessment. A phylogenetic analysis of the partial E gene confirmed that the European TBEV subtype is circulating in northeast Italy and suggested that the different Italian TBEV strains originated independently as a result of different introductions from neighbouring countries, presumably through migratory birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccolò Alfano
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Research and Innovation Centre, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Fausta Rosso
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Research and Innovation Centre, Trento, Italy
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Friederich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Daniele Arnoldi
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Research and Innovation Centre, Trento, Italy
| | - Annapaola Rizzoli
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Research and Innovation Centre, Trento, Italy
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24
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Paulsen KM, das Neves CG, Granquist EG, Madslien K, Stuen S, Pedersen BN, Vikse R, Rocchi M, Laming E, Stiasny K, Andreassen ÅK. Cervids as sentinel-species for tick-borne encephalitis virus in Norway - A serological study. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 67:342-351. [PMID: 31855321 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). TBEV is one of the most important neurological pathogens transmitted by tick bites in Europe. The objectives of this study were to investigate the seroprevalence of TBE antibodies in cervids in Norway and the possible emergence of new foci, and furthermore to evaluate if cervids can function as sentinel animals for the distribution of TBEV in the country. Serum samples from 286 moose, 148 roe deer, 140 red deer and 83 reindeer from all over Norway were collected and screened for TBE immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies with a modified commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by TBEV serum neutralisation test (SNT). The overall seroprevalence against the TBEV complex in the cervid specimens from Norway was 4.6%. The highest number of seropositive cervids was found in south-eastern Norway, but seropositive cervids were also detected in southern- and central Norway. Antibodies against TBEV detected by SNT were present in 9.4% of the moose samples, 1.4% in red deer, 0.7% in roe deer, and nil in reindeer. The majority of the positive samples in our study originated from areas where human cases of TBE have been reported in Norway. The study is the first comprehensive screening of cervid species in Norway for antibodies to TBEV, and shows that cervids are useful sentinel animals to indicate TBEV occurrence, as supplement to studies in ticks. Furthermore, the results indicate that TBEV might be spreading northwards in Norway. This information may be of relevance for public health considerations and supports previous findings of TBEV in ticks in Norway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine M Paulsen
- Department of Virology, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Erik G Granquist
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Snorre Stuen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Section of Small Ruminant Research and Herd Health, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Sandnes, Norway
| | - Benedikte N Pedersen
- Department of Virology, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Natural Science and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Bø, Norway
| | - Rose Vikse
- Department of Virology, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mara Rocchi
- Virus Surveillance Unit, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Scotland, UK
| | - Ellie Laming
- Virus Surveillance Unit, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Scotland, UK
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Åshild K Andreassen
- Department of Virology, Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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25
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Klaus C, Ziegler U, Hoffmann D, Press F, Fast C, Beer M. Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) antibodies in animal sera - occurrence in goat flocks in Germany, longevity and ability to recall immunological information after more than six years. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:399. [PMID: 31694666 PMCID: PMC6836345 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background TBE is an important tick-borne viral zoonosis in Europe and some parts of Asia. Humans can become infected by tick bite and in some cases also by consumption of nonpasteurized raw milk and raw milk products from ruminants. Serological investigations of milking flocks can help to assess the risk of TBEV infection for humans. 735 blood samples from 50 goat flocks from four federal states of Germany were tested by TBEV-VNT to assess a potential risk for TBEV infection. There are some gaps in the knowledge about immunity in animals, for example with regard to the longevity of TBEV immunity. Two goats and two sheep were immunized and TBEV antibody titers could be detected for up to 7 years. Furthermore, nothing is known about a possible long-lasting immunological memory that could quickly be reactivated by an additional contact to TBEV. Seven years after the first immunization two goats and two sheep as well as two naïve goats and two sheep were boostered and TBEV antibody titers followed. Results Only one sample in each of the three states was TBEV-antibody positive (VNT), albeit with low titers. However, in Baden-Württemberg seven samples were positive, among them four goats of the same flock. TBEV-antibody positive titers were detected in goats for up to 6 years and 10 months, in sheep for up to 4 years and 7 months. Seven years after immunization a clear immunological recall occurred in response to administration of one dose of vaccine in two goats and two sheep. Conclusion It can be concluded that in the tested flocks the risk of an alimentary TBEV infection was low. However, in one single flock a considerably higher risk must be assumed. Antibody titers in goats and sheep can last very long after contact to TBEV, albeit at a low level. This should be taken into consideration in cases where the risk of an alimentary infection is assessed in a flock by serological investigations. The immunological recall gives rise to the suspicion that the immunological memory after a first contact to TBEV lasts for many years, probably lifelong.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Klaus
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743, Jena, Germany.
| | - Ute Ziegler
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Franziska Press
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christine Fast
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
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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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27
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Rockstroh A, Moges B, Berneck BS, Sattler T, Revilla-Fernández S, Schmoll F, Pacenti M, Sinigaglia A, Barzon L, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Nowotny N, Ulbert S. Specific detection and differentiation of tick-borne encephalitis and West Nile virus induced IgG antibodies in humans and horses. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:1701-1708. [PMID: 30985075 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are important arthropod-borne zoonotic flaviviruses. Due to the emergence of WNV in TBEV-endemic regions co-circulation of both viruses is increasing. Flaviviruses are structurally highly similar, which leads to cross-reacting antibodies upon infection. Currently available serological assays for TBEV and WNV infections are therefore compromised by false-positive results, especially in IgG measurements. In order to discriminate both infections novel diagnostic methods are needed. We describe an ELISA to measure IgG antibodies specific for TBEV and WNV, applicable to human and horse sera. Mutant envelope proteins were generated, that lack conserved parts of the fusion loop domain, a predominant target for cross-reacting antibodies. These were incubated with equine and human sera with known TBEV, WNV or other flavivirus infections. For WNV IgG, specificities and sensitivities were 100% and 87.9%, respectively, for horse sera, and 94.4% and 92.5%, respectively, for human sera. TBEV IgG was detected with specificities and sensitivities of 95% and 96.7%, respectively, in horses, and 98.9% and 100%, respectively, in humans. Specificities increased to 100% by comparing individual samples on both antigens. The antigens could form the basis for serological TBEV- and WNV-assays with improved specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Rockstroh
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beyene Moges
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beatrice S Berneck
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tatjana Sattler
- Institute for Veterinary Disease Control Mödling, Austrian Agency of Health and Food Safety, Mödling, Austria.,Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sandra Revilla-Fernández
- Institute for Veterinary Disease Control Mödling, Austrian Agency of Health and Food Safety, Mödling, Austria
| | - Friedrich Schmoll
- Institute for Veterinary Disease Control Mödling, Austrian Agency of Health and Food Safety, Mödling, Austria
| | - Monia Pacenti
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Luisa Barzon
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Norbert Nowotny
- Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sebastian Ulbert
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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28
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Casati Pagani S, Frigerio Malossa S, Klaus C, Hoffmann D, Beretta O, Bomio-Pacciorini N, Lazzaro M, Merlani G, Ackermann R, Beuret C. First detection of TBE virus in ticks and sero-reactivity in goats in a non-endemic region in the southern part of Switzerland (Canton of Ticino). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:868-874. [PMID: 31047827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In Switzerland, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a notifiable human disease with an average of 210 cases per year in the last 10 years (2008-2017). A national surveillance conducted in 2009 reported a prevalence of 0.46% for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) detected in ticks, which is in accordance with the prevalences found in Europe from 0.1%-5%. The Canton of Ticino in the southern part of Switzerland, geographically separated from the rest of the national territory by the Alps, is considered a non-endemic region, as no autochthonous clinical cases and no TBEV presence in ticks have ever been reported. In order to understand the epidemiological situation in Ticino, we conducted a large study investigating the TBEV presence in field-collected Ixodes ricinus ticks and in goat and human sera. Goats and sheep were considered as sentinel hosts showing persistence of antibodies also after 28 months in the absence of symptoms; this longevity supports the data validity to characterize an area with the TBEV status. The goat sera collection was composed of a total of 662 samples from 37 flocks. The total seroprevalence was 14.6%. 39 (40%) of the 97 SNT-positive samples showed an antibody titer ≥ 1:120 which indicates recent infection and consequently the probable presence of active foci among the pastures frequented by the goats belonging to 10 flocks. In total, 51 owners participated in the study and all were TBEV antibody-free. A total of 12'052 I. ricinus ticks (nymphs and adults) were collected and 1'371 pools were tested using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Only one positive pool was reported with a prevalence of 0.35%. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the TBEV strain isolated from the ticks collected in Ticino is closely related to 2 strains coming from the Canton of Valais (99.1% and 98.7% identity, respectively), a neighbouring region of the Canton of Ticino. These two Cantons are close together but separated by high mountains (Alps) and we hypothesize that infected ticks were transported by wild animals from Valais into the Valle Maggia in Ticino where we found positive ticks. In conclusion, our data show for the first time the presence of TBEV in ticks and the related sero-reactivity in goats, confirming the presence of TBEV in the environment of the Canton of Ticino. Further surveillance studies will have to be conducted to follow the persistence of TBEV in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Casati Pagani
- Dipartimento della sanità e della socialità, Ufficio del medico cantonale, Via Dogana 16, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
| | - Simona Frigerio Malossa
- EOC - Dipartimento di medicina di laboratorio, Servizio di microbiologia (SMIC), Via Mirasole 22a, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Christine Klaus
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ottavio Beretta
- Dipartimento della sanità e della socialità, Ufficio del medico cantonale, Via Dogana 16, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Bomio-Pacciorini
- Dipartimento del territorio, Ufficio forestale 4° circondario, Via Antonio Ciseri 13, 6600, Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Mario Lazzaro
- Dipartimento della sanità e della socialità, Ufficio del medico cantonale, Via Dogana 16, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Giorgio Merlani
- Dipartimento della sanità e della socialità, Ufficio del medico cantonale, Via Dogana 16, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Rahel Ackermann
- National Reference Centre for Tick-Transmitted Diseases (NRZK), Labor Spiez, Ausstrasse, 3700, Spiez, Switzerland
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29
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Dorko E, Hockicko J, Rimárová K, Bušová A, Popaďák P, Popaďáková J, Schréter I. Milk outbreaks of tick-borne encephalitis in Slovakia, 2012-2016. Cent Eur J Public Health 2018; 26 Suppl:S47-S50. [DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a5272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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30
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Paulsen KM, Stuen S, das Neves CG, Suhel F, Gurung D, Soleng A, Stiasny K, Vikse R, Andreassen ÅK, Granquist EG. Tick-borne encephalitis virus in cows and unpasteurized cow milk from Norway. Zoonoses Public Health 2018; 66:216-222. [PMID: 30593734 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is recognized as the most important zoonotic tick-transmitted virus in Europe. TBEV is mainly transmitted to humans through bites from TBEV-infected ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes persulcatus). However, alimentary infection after consumption of unpasteurized milk and cheese from domestic ruminants has been reported. There is little information about TBEV in ruminants in Norway. The objectives of this study were to analyse unpasteurized cow milk for TBEV RNA and to study the presence of IgG antibodies to TBEV in the same animals. A total of 112 milk and blood samples were collected from cows from five different farms spread from southern to northern Norway. The milk samples were analysed by an in-house reverse transcription (RT) real-time polymerase chain reaction and confirmed by pyrosequencing. Serum samples were screened by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and verified by a TBEV-specific serum neutralization test. We found TBEV RNA in unpasteurized milk collected from farms in the municipalities of Mandal, Skedsmo and Brønnøy in 5.4% of the tested animals. Specific antibodies to TBEV were only detected in Arendal, where 88.2% of the tested animals were positive. Further studies on milk containing TBEV RNA should be performed to conclude if TBEV found in unpasteurized milk in Norway is infectious, which could be of great importance in a One Health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine M Paulsen
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Snorre Stuen
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Section of Small Ruminant Research and Herd Health, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Sandnes, Norway
| | | | | | - Deepa Gurung
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arnulf Soleng
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rose Vikse
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Åshild K Andreassen
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erik G Granquist
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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31
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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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32
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Andersen NS, Larsen SL, Olesen CR, Stiasny K, Kolmos HJ, Jensen PM, Skarphédinsson S. Continued expansion of tick-borne pathogens: Tick-borne encephalitis virus complex and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Denmark. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 10:115-123. [PMID: 30245088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a tick-transmitted flavivirus within the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex. The TBE complex is represented by both TBEV and louping ill virus (LIV) in Denmark. Anaplasma phagocytophilum is also transmitted by ticks and is believed to play an essential role in facilitating and aggravating LIV infection in sheep. This study aimed to describe the distribution of TBE complex viruses in Denmark, to establish the possible emergence of new foci and their association with the distribution of A. phagocytophilum. We performed a nationwide seroprevalence study of TBE complex viruses using roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) as sentinels and determined the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in roe deer. Danish hunters obtained blood samples from roe deer during the hunting season of 2013-14. The samples were examined for TBEV-specific antibodies by virus neutralization tests (NT). A. phagocytophilum infection was assessed by specific real-time-PCR. The overall seroprevalence of the TBE complex viruses in roe deer was 6.9% (51/736). The positive samples were primarily obtained from a known TBE endemic foci and risk areas identified in previous sentinel studies. However, new TBE complex risk areas were also identified. The overall prevalence of A. phagocytophilum was 94.0% (173 PCR-positive of 184 roe deer), which is twice the rate observed ten years ago. These results point to an expansion of these tick-borne diseases geographically and within reservoir populations and, therefore, rationalize the use of sentinel models to monitor changes in transmission of tick-borne diseases and development of new risk areas. We found no association between TBE complex-positive roe deer and the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum, as almost all roe deer were infected. Based on our findings we encourage health care providers to be attentive to tick-borne illnesses such as TBE when treating patients with compatible symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna Skaarup Andersen
- Clinical Centre for Emerging and Vector-borne Infections, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark; Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløvsvej 21.2, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.
| | - Sanne Løkkegaard Larsen
- Clinical Centre for Emerging and Vector-borne Infections, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark; Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløvsvej 21.2, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.
| | | | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Hans Jørn Kolmos
- Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløvsvej 21.2, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.
| | - Per Moestrup Jensen
- Department of Plant- and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Sigurdur Skarphédinsson
- Clinical Centre for Emerging and Vector-borne Infections, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark; Department of Infectious diseases, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.
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33
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Csank T, Drzewnioková P, Korytár Ľ, Major P, Gyuranecz M, Pistl J, Bakonyi T. A Serosurvey of Flavivirus Infection in Horses and Birds in Slovakia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2018; 18:206-213. [PMID: 29437548 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In central Europe, at least three flaviviruses circulate among vectors and vertebrate hosts. West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are mosquito-borne viruses maintained in the nature by enzootic cycle between mosquitoes and birds. Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a flavivirus causing annual human cases in Slovakia. The aim of this study is the prevalence assessment of flavivirus infections in horses (n = 145) and birds (n = 109) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmation by neutralization test (VNT). WNV antibodies have been detected in 11.7% of tested horses and 11.9% of tested birds and confirmed in 6.9% of horse and 9.2% of bird samples. None of the WNV seropositive or dubious horses had WNV IgM (ELISA), and none of the tested horses had USUV neutralizing antibodies. Autochthonous WNV infections have been confirmed in 16.7% of horses without international travelling history. Most of them were from western Slovakia with known endemic WNV transmission. An autochthonous WNV infection in a horse from highland area of Kremnické vrchy (central Slovakia) with unknown data of WNV circulation and without travelling history was detected. TBEV antibody was detected in 6.2% of horses and in 3.4% has been confirmed. In two horses, WNV and TBEV infection could not be distinguished. Confirmed WNV seropositive were eight raptors showing nonspecific signs or suffering from trauma, one white stork, and one house sparrow. The sparrow was caught in a locality in eastern Slovakia, where WNV RNA had been previously detected in sparrows. USUV neutralizing antibodies were present in pooled sample from four Eurasian great tits. Because of insufficient volume, TBEV VNT was not carried out in birds. Results further prove the endemicity of WNV and other vector-borne flaviviruses in natural and accidental hosts in Slovakia, giving better insight in flavivirus epidemiology in European countries in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Csank
- 1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice , Košice, Slovakia
| | - Petra Drzewnioková
- 1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice , Košice, Slovakia
| | - Ľuboš Korytár
- 2 Department of Environment, Veterinary Legislation and Economy, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice , Košice, Slovakia
| | - Peter Major
- 3 Department of Clinic for Birds and Exotic Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice , Košice, Slovakia
| | - Miklós Gyuranecz
- 4 Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, MTA Centre for Agricultural Research , Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Juraj Pistl
- 1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice , Košice, Slovakia
| | - Tamás Bakonyi
- 5 Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine , Budapest, Hungary .,6 Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine , Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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34
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Molecular Detection and Serological Evidence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus in Serbia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:813-820. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2017.2167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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35
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Clement J, Lagrou K, Saegeman V, Maes P, van Ranst M. Letter to the editor: The first tick-borne encephalitis case in the Netherlands: reflections and a note of caution. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 21:30355. [PMID: 27719753 PMCID: PMC5069429 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.39.30355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Clement
- University Hospital Leuven, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Leuven, Belgium
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36
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Goats as sentinel hosts for the detection of tick-borne encephalitis risk areas in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:217. [PMID: 28693561 PMCID: PMC5504567 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1136-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an important tick-borne disease in Europe. Detection of the TBE virus (TBEV) in local populations of Ixodes ricinus ticks is the most reliable proof that a given area is at risk for TBE, but this approach is time-consuming and expensive. A cheaper and simpler approach is to use immunology-based methods to screen vertebrate hosts for TBEV-specific antibodies and subsequently test the tick populations at locations with seropositive animals. Results The purpose of the present study was to use goats as sentinel animals to identify new risk areas for TBE in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. A total of 4114 individual goat sera were screened for TBEV-specific antibodies using immunological methods. According to our ELISA assay, 175 goat sera reacted strongly with TBEV antigen, resulting in a seroprevalence rate of 4.3%. The serum neutralization test confirmed that 70 of the 173 ELISA-positive sera had neutralizing antibodies against TBEV. Most of the 26 seropositive goat flocks were detected in the known risk areas in the canton of Valais, with some spread into the connecting valley of Saas and to the east of the town of Brig. One seropositive site was 60 km to the west of the known TBEV-endemic area. At two of the three locations where goats were seropositive, the local tick populations also tested positive for TBEV. Conclusion The combined approach of screening vertebrate hosts for TBEV-specific antibodies followed by testing the local tick population for TBEV allowed us to detect two new TBEV foci in the canton of Valais. The present study showed that goats are useful sentinel animals for the detection of new TBEV risk areas. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-017-1136-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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37
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Vaccination against Louping Ill Virus Protects Goats from Experimental Challenge with Spanish Goat Encephalitis Virus. J Comp Pathol 2017; 156:409-418. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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38
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Salinas LM, Casais R, García Marín JF, Dalton KP, Royo LJ, Del Cerro A, Gayo E, Dagleish MP, Juste RA, Balseiro A. Lambs are Susceptible to Experimental Challenge with Spanish Goat Encephalitis Virus. J Comp Pathol 2017; 156:400-408. [PMID: 28433396 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Spanish goat encephalitis virus (SGEV) is a member of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, and causes encephalomyelitis in goats. The aim of this study was to determine whether sheep are susceptible to experimental challenge with SGEV by two different routes. The results show that SGEV can infect sheep by both the subcutaneous and intravenous routes, resulting in neurological clinical disease with extensive and severe histological lesions in the central nervous system. Lambs challenged subcutaneously developed more severe lesions on the ipsilateral side of the brain, but the lesion morphology was similar irrespective of the route of challenge. The clinical presentation, pathogenesis, lesion morphology and distribution shows that SGEV is very similar to louping ill virus (LIV) and therefore any disease control plan must take into account any host species and SGEV vectors as potential reservoirs. Furthermore, discriminatory diagnostics need to be applied to any sheep or goat suspected of disease due to any flavivirus in areas where SGEV and LIV co-exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Salinas
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | - R Casais
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - J F García Marín
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | - K P Dalton
- Instituto Universitario de Biotecnología de Asturias, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus El Cristo, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - L J Royo
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - A Del Cerro
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - E Gayo
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | - M P Dagleish
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Near Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
| | - R A Juste
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - A Balseiro
- SERIDA, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
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39
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Hira V, de Graaf JA, Rockx B. Author’s reply: The first tick-borne encephalitis case in the Netherlands: reflections and a note of caution. Euro Surveill 2016; 21:30356. [PMID: 27719758 PMCID: PMC5069430 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.39.30356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Hira
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Joris A de Graaf
- Department of Neurology, Zuwe Hofpoort Hospital, Woerden, The Netherlands
| | - Barry Rockx
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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40
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Cleton NB, van Maanen K, Bergervoet SA, Bon N, Beck C, Godeke GJ, Lecollinet S, Bowen R, Lelli D, Nowotny N, Koopmans MPG, Reusken CBEM. A Serological Protein Microarray for Detection of Multiple Cross-Reactive Flavivirus Infections in Horses for Veterinary and Public Health Surveillance. Transbound Emerg Dis 2016; 64:1801-1812. [PMID: 27633257 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae includes some of the most important examples of emerging zoonotic arboviruses that are rapidly spreading across the globe. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are mosquito-borne members of the JEV serological group. Although most infections in humans are asymptomatic or present with mild flu-like symptoms, clinical manifestations of JEV, WNV, SLEV, USUV and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) can include severe neurological disease and death. In horses, infection with WNV and JEV can lead to severe neurological disease and death, while USUV, SLEV and TBEV infections are mainly asymptomatic, however, and induce antibody responses. Horses often serve as sentinels to monitor active virus circulation in serological surveillance programmes specifically for WNV, USUV and JEV. Here, we developed and validated a NS1-antigen protein microarray for the serological differential diagnosis of flavivirus infections in horses using sera of experimentally and naturally infected symptomatic as well as asymptomatic horses. Using samples from experimentally infected horses, an IgG and IgM specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 95% for WNV and 100% for JEV was achieved with a cut-off titre of 1 : 20 based on ROC calculation. In field settings, the microarray identified 93-100% of IgG-positive horses with recent WNV infections and 87% of TBEV IgG-positive horses. WNV IgM sensitivity was 80%. Differentiation between closely related flaviviruses by the NS1-antigen protein microarray is possible, even though we identified some instances of cross-reactivity among antibodies. However, the assay is not able to differentiate between naturally infected horses and animals vaccinated with an inactivated WNV whole-virus vaccine. We showed that the NS1-microarray can potentially be used for diagnosing and distinguishing flavivirus infections in horses and for public health purposes within a surveillance setting. This allows for fast, cheap, syndrome-based laboratory testing for multiple viruses simultaneously for veterinary and public health purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N B Cleton
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Screening, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - K van Maanen
- Animal Health Service (GD), Deventer, The Netherlands
| | - S A Bergervoet
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Screening, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - N Bon
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Screening, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - C Beck
- Laboratory for Animal Health (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - G-J Godeke
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Screening, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - S Lecollinet
- Laboratory for Animal Health (ANSES), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - R Bowen
- School for Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - D Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell' Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - N Nowotny
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - M P G Koopmans
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Screening, National Institute for Public Health and Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - C B E M Reusken
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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41
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Seroprevalence of tick-borne-encephalitis virus in wild game in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (north-eastern Germany). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:1151-1154. [PMID: 27527383 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a federal state in the north east of Germany, has never been a risk area for TBEV infection, but a few autochthonous cases, along with TBEV-RNA detection in ticks, have shown a low level of activity in natural foci of the virus in the past. As wild game and domestic animals have been shown to be useful sentinels for TBEV we examined sera from wild game shot in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania for the prevalence of TBEV antibodies. A total of 359 sera from wild game were investigated. All animals were shot in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in 2012. Thirteen of 359 sera tested positive or borderline for anti-TBEV-IgG with ELISA and four samples tested positive using NT. The four TBEV-positive sera confirmed by NT constitute the first detection of TBEV-antibodies in sera of wild game in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania since 1986-1989. This underlines that the serological examination of wild game can be a useful tool in defining areas of possible TBEV infection, especially in areas of low TBEV-endemicity.
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A High-Performance Multiplex Immunoassay for Serodiagnosis of Flavivirus-Associated Neurological Diseases in Horses. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:678084. [PMID: 26457301 PMCID: PMC4589573 DOI: 10.1155/2015/678084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are flaviviruses responsible for severe neuroinvasive infections in humans and horses. The confirmation of flavivirus infections is mostly based on rapid serological tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). These tests suffer from poor specificity, mainly due to antigenic cross-reactivity among flavivirus members. Robust diagnosis therefore needs to be validated through virus neutralisation tests (VNTs) which are time-consuming and require BSL3 facilities. The flavivirus envelope (E) glycoprotein ectodomain is composed of three domains (D) named DI, DII, and DIII, with EDIII containing virus-specific epitopes. In order to improve the serological differentiation of flavivirus infections, the recombinant soluble ectodomain of WNV E (WNV.sE) and EDIIIs (rEDIIIs) of WNV, JEV, and TBEV were synthesised using the Drosophila S2 expression system. Purified antigens were covalently bonded to fluorescent beads. The microspheres coupled to WNV.sE or rEDIIIs were assayed with about 300 equine immune sera from natural and experimental flavivirus infections and 172 nonimmune equine sera as negative controls. rEDIII-coupled microspheres captured specific antibodies against WNV, TBEV, or JEV in positive horse sera. This innovative multiplex immunoassay is a powerful alternative to ELISAs and VNTs for veterinary diagnosis of flavivirus-related diseases.
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Imhoff M, Hagedorn P, Schulze Y, Hellenbrand W, Pfeffer M, Niedrig M. Review: Sentinels of tick-borne encephalitis risk. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:592-600. [PMID: 26005107 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral zoonotic disease endemic in many regions of Eurasia. The definition of TBE risk areas is complicated by the focal nature of the TBE virus transmission. Furthermore, vaccination may reduce case numbers and thus mask infection risk to unvaccinated persons. Therefore, additional risk indicators are sought to complement the current risk assessment solely based on human incidence. We reviewed studies published over the past ten years investigating potential new sentinels of TBE risk to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various sentinel animal surveys and surrogate indicator methods. Virus prevalence in questing ticks is an unsuitable indicator of TBE infection risk as viral RNA is rarely detected even in large sample sizes collected at known TBE endemic areas. Seroprevalence in domestic animals, on the other hand, showed good spatial correlation with TBE incidence in humans and might also uncover presently unknown TBEV foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Imhoff
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Peter Hagedorn
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Yesica Schulze
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Wiebke Hellenbrand
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene & Veterinary Public Health, Centre of Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Matthias Niedrig
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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