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Athanasakopoulou Z, Sofia M, Skampardonis V, Giannakopoulos A, Birtsas P, Tsolakos K, Spyrou V, Chatzopoulos DC, Satra M, Diamantopoulos V, Mpellou S, Galamatis D, G. Papatsiros V, Billinis C. Indication of West Nile Virus (WNV) Lineage 2 Overwintering among Wild Birds in the Regions of Peloponnese and Western Greece. Vet Sci 2023; 10:661. [PMID: 37999484 PMCID: PMC10674244 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10110661] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV), a zoonotic mosquito-borne virus, has recently caused human outbreaks in Europe, including Greece. Its transmission cycle in nature includes wild birds as amplifying hosts and ornithophilic mosquito vectors. The aim of this study was to assess WNV circulation among wild birds from two regions of Greece, Peloponnese and Western Greece, during 2022. To this end, a total of 511 birds belonging to 37 different species were sampled and molecularly screened. WNV RNA was detected from February to November in a total of 71 wild birds of nine species originating from both investigated regions. The first eight positive samples were sequenced on a part of NS3 and, according to the phylogenetic analysis, they belonged to evolutionary lineage 2 and presented similarity to previous outbreak-causing Greek strains (Argolis 2017, Macedonia 2010 and 2012). It was more likely to identify a PCR positive bird as the population density and the distance from water sources decreased. The present report provides evidence of WNV occurrence in both Peloponnese and Western Greece during 2022 and underlines its possible overwintering, highlighting the need for avian species surveillance to be conducted annually and throughout the year. Magpies are proposed as sentinels for WNV monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoi Athanasakopoulou
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (V.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Marina Sofia
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (V.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Vassilis Skampardonis
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (V.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Alexios Giannakopoulos
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (V.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Periklis Birtsas
- Faculty of Forestry, Wood Science and Design, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
| | | | - Vassiliki Spyrou
- Faculty of Animal Science, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece; (V.S.); (D.G.)
| | - Dimitris C. Chatzopoulos
- Faculty of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (D.C.C.); (M.S.)
| | - Maria Satra
- Faculty of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (D.C.C.); (M.S.)
| | | | - Spyridoula Mpellou
- Bioefarmoges Eleftheriou LP-Integrated Mosquito Control, 19007 Marathon, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Galamatis
- Faculty of Animal Science, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece; (V.S.); (D.G.)
| | - Vasileios G. Papatsiros
- Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
| | - Charalambos Billinis
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (M.S.); (V.S.); (A.G.)
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Kouroupis D, Charisi K, Pyrpasopoulou A. The Ongoing Epidemic of West Nile Virus in Greece: The Contribution of Biological Vectors and Reservoirs and the Importance of Climate and Socioeconomic Factors Revisited. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:453. [PMID: 37755914 PMCID: PMC10536956 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8090453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases have inflicted a significant health and socioeconomic burden upon the global population and governments worldwide. West Nile virus, a zoonotic, mosquito-borne flavivirus, was originally isolated in 1937 from a febrile patient in the West Nile Province of Uganda. It remained confined mainly to Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe and Australia until 1999, circulating in an enzootic mosquito-bird transmission cycle. Since the beginning of the 21st century, a new, neurotropic, more virulent strain was isolated from human outbreaks initially occurring in North America and later expanding to South and South-eastern Europe. Since 2010, when the first epidemic was recorded in Greece, annual incidence has fluctuated significantly. A variety of environmental, biological and socioeconomic factors have been globally addressed as potential regulators of the anticipated intensity of the annual incidence rate; circulation within the zoonotic reservoirs, recruitment and adaptation of new potent arthropod vectors, average winter and summer temperatures, precipitation during the early summer months, and socioeconomic factors, such as the emergence and progression of urbanization and the development of densely populated areas in association with insufficient health policy measures. This paper presents a review of the biological and socioenvironmental factors influencing the dynamics of the epidemics of West Nile virus (WNV) cases in Greece, one of the highest-ranked European countries in terms of annual incidence. To date, WNV remains an unpredictable opponent as is also the case with other emerging infectious diseases, forcing the National Health systems to develop response strategies, control the number of infections, and shorten the duration of the epidemics, thus minimizing the impact on human and material resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kouroupis
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Konstantinoupoleos 49, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Konstantina Charisi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Konstantinoupoleos 49, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Athina Pyrpasopoulou
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Konstantinoupoleos 49, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece;
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Konstantinoupoleos 49, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece;
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Cancino-Faure B, González CR, González AP, Salazar-Viedma M, Pastenes L, Valdés E, Bustos C, Lozada-Yavina R, Canals M. Northern and Central Chile still free of emerging flaviviruses in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Acta Trop 2023; 243:106929. [PMID: 37086936 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Geographic isolation and strict control limits in border areas have kept Chile free from various pathogens, including Flavivirus. However, the scenario is changing mainly due to climate change, the reintroduction of more aggressive mosquitoes, and the great wave of migration of people from endemic countries in recent years. Hence, it is necessary to surveillance mosquitoes to anticipate a possible outbreak in the population and take action to control it. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Flavivirus RNA by molecular tools with consensus primers in mosquitoes collected in the extreme north and central Chile. From 2019 to 2021, a prospective study was carried out in localities of Northern and part of Central Chile. Larvae, pupae, and adults of mosquitoes were collected in rural and urban sites in each locality. The collected samples were pooled by species and geographical location and tested using RT-PCR and RT-qPCR to determine presence of Flavivirus. 3085 specimens were collected, the most abundant specie Culex quinquefasciatus in the North and Aedes (Ochlerotatus) albifasciatus in the Center of Chile. Both genera are associated with Flavivirus transmission. However, PCR and RT-PCR did not detect Flavivirus RNA in the mosquitoes studied. These negative results indicate we are still a free Flavivirus country, which is reaffirmed by the non-existence of endemic human cases. Despite this, routine surveillance of mosquitoes and the pathogens they carry is highly recommended to evaluate each area-specific risk of vector-borne transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Cancino-Faure
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.
| | - Christian R González
- Instituto de Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Piñeiro González
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile; Laboratorio de Genética y Microevolución, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Marcela Salazar-Viedma
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma, Talca, Chile
| | - Luis Pastenes
- Laboratorio de Genética y Microevolución, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Elizabeth Valdés
- Doctorado en Biotecnología Traslacional, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Camila Bustos
- Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (CENBio), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Rafael Lozada-Yavina
- Departamento de Matemáticas, Física y Estadística, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Mauricio Canals
- Programa de Salud Ambiental y Departamento de Medicina, Escuela de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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West Nile Virus Occurrence and Ecological Niche Modeling in Wild Bird Species and Mosquito Vectors: An Active Surveillance Program in the Peloponnese Region of Greece. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071328. [PMID: 35889046 PMCID: PMC9320058 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is maintained in nature in a bird-mosquito cycle and human infections follow a seasonal pattern, favored by climatic conditions. Peloponnese Region, located in Southern Greece, initiated an active WNV surveillance program to protect public health during 2019–2020. The project included monitoring of avian hosts and mosquito vectors, while sampling locations were prioritized after consideration of WNV circulation in birds, mosquitos and humans during previous seasons. Biological materials were collected from 493 wild birds of 25 species and 678 mosquito pools, which were molecularly screened for WNV presence. In this case, 14 environmental variables were associated with WNV detection in wild birds and mosquitos by using two separate MaxEnt models. Viral RNA was not detected in the target species during 2019, although in 2020, it was reported on 46 wild birds of ten species and 22 mosquito pools (Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus). Altitude and land uses were significant predictors for both models and in fact, suitable conditions for virus occurrence were identified in low altitude zones. Bird- and mosquito-based surveillance systems yielded similar results and allowed for targeted vector control applications in cases of increased virus activity. Human cases were not reported on Peloponnese in 2020.
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Clinical Spectrum and CSF Findings in Patients with West-Nile Virus Infection, a Retrospective Cohort Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12040805. [PMID: 35453853 PMCID: PMC9032281 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12040805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) infection is a world-wide zoonotic disease transmitted by mosquitoes. The infection is usually self-limiting; however, elderly patients or those with comorbidities are predisposed to developing severe, and sometimes fatal complications of the infection. Recently, the incidence of WNV infection in Europe had seen a sharp increase, as compared to previous years. We are currently reporting on the clinical presentation and laboratory findings in 23 cases of WNV infection, of which one resulted in a fatal outcome. The clinical picture was predominantly that of meningitis/meningoencephalitis of varying severity. One patient suffered a fatal outcome, and a rare manifestation of chorioretinal lesions and iridocyclitis was also reported as a result of WNV infection. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis predominantly showed lymphocytic pleocytosis, and total protein levels were increased in all but three of the patients. Levels of total protein in CSF samples were found to show a positive correlation with age. Given the ever-increasing incidence of WNV infection in Europe, a high index of clinical suspicion should always accompany cases of meningitis, especially during the summer period, as a similar epidemic pattern is predicted to recur.
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Reusken C, Baronti C, Mögling R, Papa A, Leitmeyer K, Charrel RN. Toscana, West Nile, Usutu and tick-borne encephalitis viruses: external quality assessment for molecular detection of emerging neurotropic viruses in Europe, 2017. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 24. [PMID: 31847946 PMCID: PMC6918591 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.50.1900051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BackgroundNeurotropic arboviruses are increasingly recognised as causative agents of neurological disease in Europe but underdiagnosis is still suspected. Capability for accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for adequate clinical and public health response.AimTo improve diagnostic capability in EVD-LabNet laboratories, we organised an external quality assessment (EQA) focusing on molecular detection of Toscana (TOSV), Usutu (USUV), West Nile (WNV) and tick-borne encephalitis viruses (TBEV).MethodsSixty-nine laboratories were invited. The EQA panel included two WNV RNA-positive samples (lineages 1 and 2), two TOSV RNA-positive samples (lineages A and B), one TBEV RNA-positive sample (Western subtype), one USUV RNA-positive sample and four negative samples. The EQA focused on overall capability rather than sensitivity of the used techniques. Only detection of one, clinically relevant, concentration per virus species and lineage was assessed.ResultsThe final EQA analysis included 51 laboratories from 35 countries; 44 of these laboratories were from 28 of 31 countries in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). USUV diagnostic capability was lowest (28 laboratories in 18 countries), WNV detection capacity was highest (48 laboratories in 32 countries). Twenty-five laboratories were able to test the whole EQA panel, of which only 11 provided completely correct results. The highest scores were observed for WNV and TOSV (92%), followed by TBEV (86%) and USUV (75%).ConclusionWe observed wide variety in extraction methods and RT-PCR tests, showing a profound absence of standardisation across European laboratories. Overall, the results were not satisfactory; capacity and capability need to be improved in 40 laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Reusken
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.,Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cecile Baronti
- Unite des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Mediterranee Infection), Marseille, France
| | - Ramona Mögling
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Katrin Leitmeyer
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Remi N Charrel
- Unite des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Mediterranee Infection), Marseille, France
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Chaintoutis SC, Papa A, Pervanidou D, Dovas CI. Evolutionary dynamics of lineage 2 West Nile virus in Europe, 2004–2018: Phylogeny, selection pressure and phylogeography. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 141:106617. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Abstract
Eastern Europe (EE) has been severely affected by mosquito-borne viruses (moboviruses). In this review, we summarize the epidemiology of moboviruses, with particular attention to West Nile virus (WNV). The study of WNV human cases in EE between 2010 and 2016, revealed that the epidemiology of WNV in EE is complex with the combination of introduction of different WNV strains from lineages 1 and 2, and the establishment of endemic cycles. We found a positive correlation between the risk of WNV re-emergence in an area and the number of human cases reported in the previous year. We also report the main ecological and biological characteristics of the key mosquito species vectors of moboviruses. Recent expansion of invasive mosquito species in EE, mainly Aedes albopictus but also Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, may result in new scenarios with an increased risk of transmission of moboviruses. Main gaps of knowledge in relation to moboviruses and their vectors in EE are identified. Understanding the epidemiology of moboviruses in EE is essential for the improvement of their surveillance and the control of the diseases they cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Napp
- IRTA,Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Dusan Petrić
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory for Medical Entomology, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Núria Busquets
- IRTA,Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,Bellaterra, Spain
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Mavridis K, Fotakis EA, Kioulos I, Mpellou S, Konstantas S, Varela E, Gewehr S, Diamantopoulos V, Vontas J. Detection of West Nile Virus - Lineage 2 in Culex pipiens mosquitoes, associated with disease outbreak in Greece, 2017. Acta Trop 2018; 182:64-68. [PMID: 29474832 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.02.024] [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] [Received: 11/11/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
During July-October 2017 a WNV outbreak took place in the Peloponnese, Southern Greece with five confirmed deaths. During routine monitoring survey in the Peloponnese, supported by the local Prefecture, we have confirmed the presence of all three Culex pipiens biotypes in the region, with a high percentage of Culex pipiens/molestus hybrids (37.0%) which are considered a highly competent vector of WNV. Kdr mutations related to pyrethroid resistance were found at relatively low levels (14.3% homozygosity) while no mosquitoes harboring the recently identified chitin synthase diflubenzuron-resistance mutations were detected in the region. As an immediate action, following the disease outbreak (within days), we collected a large number of mosquitoes using CO2 CDC traps from the villages in the Argolis area of the Peloponnese, where high incidence of WNV human infections were reported. WNV lineage 2 was detected in 3 out of 47 Cx. pipiens mosquito pools (detection rate = 6.38%). The virus was not detected in any other mosquito species, such as Aedes albopictus, sampled from the region at the time of the disease outbreak. Our results show that detection of WNV lineage 2 in Cx. pipiens pools is spatially and chronologically associated with human clinical cases, thus implicating Cx. pipiens mosquitoes as the most likely WNV vector. The absence of diflubenzuron resistance mutations and the low frequency of pyrethroid (kdr) resistance mutations indicates the suitability of these insecticides for Cx. pipiens control, in the format of larvicides and/or residual spraying applications respectively, which was indeed the main (evidence based) response, following the disease outbreak.
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Chaintoutis SC, Gewehr S, Mourelatos S, Dovas CI. Serological monitoring of backyard chickens in Central Macedonia-Greece can detect low transmission of West Nile virus in the absence of human neuroinvasive disease cases. Acta Trop 2016; 163:26-31. [PMID: 27469618 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 07/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
During 2010-13, West Nile virus (WNV) epidemics occurred in Greece with high numbers of human cases. In parallel, WNV serological surveillance utilizing domestic birds was applied mainly in Central Macedonia, as well as in other areas of the country, and allowed efficient detection of WNV activity during this period. The objective of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity of chicken-based WNV surveillance in periods of low-level virus transmission (2014-15) in a well-studied area, i.e. the epicenter of the 2010 WNV epidemic (Central Macedonia), which is considered endemic since then. WNV activity was monitored via determination of antiviral immune responses in juvenile backyard chickens. The birds were sampled twice per transmission period. WNV-specific antibodies were detected by ELISA in 2.8% out of 255 chickens sampled early in the 2014 transmission period (95% CI: 1-6%). Continued virus transmission was detected at the end of the period, as 4.2% out of 240 sampled chickens seroconverted to WNV (95% CI: 2-8%). Although 14 human neuroinvasive cases occurred in Greece during 2014, no such cases were reported in the study area. During the 2015 early warning period, antibodies against WNV were not detected in sampled chickens (n=250, 95% CI: 0-2%). However, humoral immune responses were detected in 6 out of 240 chicken sampled at the end of the transmission period (2.5%; 95% CI: 1-6%), indicating continued WNV activity. No human cases were reported in Greece during 2015. All samples were negative with real-time RT-PCR. Serological surveillance of chickens resulted in identification of areas with low WNV activity levels during 2014-15, and provided indications of its overwintering in Central Macedonia. The findings suggest that surveillance based on serological testing of domestic birds is sensitive and able to detect low-level of WNV enzootic transmission, in the absence of human cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serafeim C Chaintoutis
- Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 11 Stavrou Voutyra Str., 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sandra Gewehr
- Ecodevelopment S.A.-Environmental Applications, Filyro, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Spiros Mourelatos
- Ecodevelopment S.A.-Environmental Applications, Filyro, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chrysostomos I Dovas
- Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 11 Stavrou Voutyra Str., 54627 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Chaskopoulou A, L'Ambert G, Petric D, Bellini R, Zgomba M, Groen TA, Marrama L, Bicout DJ. Ecology of West Nile virus across four European countries: review of weather profiles, vector population dynamics and vector control response. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:482. [PMID: 27590848 PMCID: PMC5009705 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1736-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) represents a serious burden to human and animal health because of its capacity to cause unforeseen and large epidemics. Until 2004, only lineage 1 and 3 WNV strains had been found in Europe. Lineage 2 strains were initially isolated in 2004 (Hungary) and in 2008 (Austria) and for the first time caused a major WNV epidemic in 2010 in Greece with 262 clinical human cases and 35 fatalities. Since then, WNV lineage 2 outbreaks have been reported in several European countries including Italy, Serbia and Greece. Understanding the interaction of ecological factors that affect WNV transmission is crucial for preventing or decreasing the impact of future epidemics. The synchronous co-occurrence of competent mosquito vectors, virus, bird reservoir hosts, and susceptible humans is necessary for the initiation and propagation of an epidemic. Weather is the key abiotic factor influencing the life-cycles of the mosquito vector, the virus, the reservoir hosts and the interactions between them. The purpose of this paper is to review and compare mosquito population dynamics, and weather conditions, in three ecologically different contexts (urban/semi-urban, rural/agricultural, natural) across four European countries (Italy, France, Serbia, Greece) with a history of WNV outbreaks. Local control strategies will be described as well. Improving our understanding of WNV ecology is a prerequisite step for appraising and optimizing vector control strategies in Europe with the ultimate goal to minimize the probability of WNV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Chaskopoulou
- USDA-ARS, European Biological Control Laboratory, Tsimiski 43, Thessaloniki, 54623, Greece
| | - Gregory L'Ambert
- EID Mediterranee, 165 Avenue Paul Rimbaud, Montpellier, 34184, France
| | - Dusan Petric
- Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory for Medical Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Trg D. Obradovica 8, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente "G. Nicoli", Via Argini Nord 3351, Crevalcore, 40014, Italy
| | - Marija Zgomba
- Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory for Medical Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Trg D. Obradovica 8, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
| | - Thomas A Groen
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, PO Box 217, Enschede, 7500 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Laurence Marrama
- ECDC, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Tomtebodavagen 11A, Stockholm, 17183, Sweden
| | - Dominique J Bicout
- Biomathematics and Epidemiology EPSP-TIMC, VetAgro Sup, Veterinary Campus of Lyon, Marcy l'Etoile, F-69280, France. .,Laue-Langevin Institute, Theory Group, Grenoble cedex 9, F-38042, France.
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12
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Wang J, Yang J, Ge J, Hua R, Liu R, Li X, Wang X, Shao Y, Sun E, Wu D, Qin C, Wen Z, Bu Z. Newcastle disease virus-vectored West Nile fever vaccine is immunogenic in mammals and poultry. Virol J 2016; 13:109. [PMID: 27342050 PMCID: PMC4920995 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-016-0568-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen which is harmful to human and animal health. Effective vaccination in susceptible hosts should protect against WNV infection and significantly reduce viral transmission between animals and from animals to humans. A versatile vaccine suitable for different species that can be delivered via flexible routes remains an essential unmet medical need. In this study, we developed a recombinant avirulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) LaSota strain expressing WNV premembrane/envelope (PrM/E) proteins (designated rLa-WNV-PrM/E) and evaluated its immunogenicity in mice, horses, chickens, ducks and geese. RESULTS Mouse immunization experiments disclosed that rLa-WNV-PrM/E induces significant levels of WNV-neutralizing antibodies and E protein-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses. Moreover, recombinant rLa-WNV-PrM/E elicited significant levels of WNV-specific IgG in horses upon delivery via intramuscular immunization, and in chickens, ducks and geese via intramuscular, oral or intranasal immunization. CONCLUSIONS Our results collectively support the utility of rLa-WNV-PrM/E as a promising WNV veterinary vaccine candidate for mammals and poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinliang Wang
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Yang
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinying Ge
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ronghong Hua
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Renqiang Liu
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- />Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xijun Wang
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Shao
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Encheng Sun
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Donglai Wu
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Chengfeng Qin
- />Department of Virology, State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wen
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhigao Bu
- />State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001 People’s Republic of China
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13
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Politis C, Parara M, Kremastinou J, Hasapopoulou E, Iniotaki A, Siorenta A, Richardson C, Papa A, Kavallierou L, Asariotou M, Katsarou O, Mougiou A, Dadiotis L, Alexandropoulou Z, Megalou A, Magoula E, Papadopoulou M, Pervanidou D, Baka A, Hadjichristodoulou C. Associations of ABO, D, and Lewis blood groups and HLA Class I and Class II alleles with West Nile virus Lineage 2 disease outcome in Greece, 2010 to 2013. Transfusion 2016; 56:2115-21. [PMID: 27245377 DOI: 10.1111/trf.13667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND West Nile virus (WNV) infection, commonly asymptomatic, may cause mild West Nile fever (WNF) or potentially fatal neuroinvasive disease (WNND). An outbreak of 262 cases of the new Lineage 2 strain in Greece in 2010 continued with high mortality (17%) in WNND. The objective was to investigate ABO, D, and Lewis blood groups, as well as HLA Class I and Class II alleles, in relation to WNV Lineage 2 disease morbidity. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A cohort of 132 Greek WNV cases in 2010 to 2013 (65% male; mean age 64 years; 41% WNF, 59% WNND) was compared to 51,339 healthy WNV-negative blood donors and 246 healthy subjects. RESULTS Blood group A was more common in WNV cases (51%) than blood donors (39%) and group O less common (32% vs. 42%). D negativity within group A was higher in WNV than in blood donors (18% vs. 10%, p = 0.044). The frequency of secretors (Lewis(a-b+)) was 60% in WNV and 68% in donors (p = 0.16). HLA alleles C*08, DRB1*O4:O5, and DQB1*O2 occurred significantly less frequently in WNV than controls (p < 0.05 unadjusted for multiple testing) and DRB1*10:O1 more frequently (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION This first study of symptomatic WNV Lineage 2 suggests A/D negativity as a new risk factor associated with WNV infection and level of morbidity. Further studies are required of the possibility that HLA C*08, DRB1*O4:O5, and DQB1*O2 are protective alleles and DRB1*10:O1 a "susceptible" allele to WNV infection and the role of secretor status in relation to WNV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantina Politis
- Coordinating Haemovigilance Centre.,Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Myrsini Parara
- Coordinating Haemovigilance Centre.,Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Hasapopoulou
- AHEPA University Hospital Blood Centre Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | - Clive Richardson
- Coordinating Haemovigilance Centre.,Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Papa
- Arboviruses National Reference Laboratory, Aristoteleio University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Lilian Kavallierou
- Coordinating Haemovigilance Centre.,Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Marina Asariotou
- Coordinating Haemovigilance Centre.,Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga Katsarou
- Laiko General Hospital Blood Establishment, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Lukas Dadiotis
- Tzanio General Hospital Blood Establishment, Piraeus, Greece
| | | | - Angelica Megalou
- Evangelismos General Hospital Blood Establishment, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Danai Pervanidou
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Agoritsa Baka
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
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14
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Detection and sequencing of West Nile virus RNA from human urine and serum samples during the 2014 seasonal period. Arch Virol 2016; 161:1797-806. [PMID: 27038827 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-2844-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus, a widely distributed mosquito-borne flavivirus, is responsible for numerous animal and human infections in Europe, Africa and the Americas. In Hungary, the average number of human infections falls between 10 and 20 cases each year. The severity of clinically manifesting infections varies widely from the milder form of West Nile fever to West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND). In routine laboratory diagnosis of human West Nile virus infections, serological methods are mainly applied due to the limited duration of viremia. However, recent studies suggest that detection of West Nile virus RNA in urine samples may be useful as a molecular diagnostic test for these infections. The Hungarian National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses serologically confirmed eleven acute human infections during the 2014 seasonal period. In three patients with neurological symptoms, viral RNA was detected from both urine and serum specimens, albeit for a longer period and in higher copy numbers with urine. Phylogenetic analysis of the NS3 genomic region of three strains and the complete genome of one selected strain demonstrated that all three patients had lineage-2 West Nile virus infections. Our findings reaffirm the utility of viral RNA detection in urine as a molecular diagnostic procedure for diagnosis of West Nile virus infections.
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15
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Dridi M, Van Den Berg T, Lecollinet S, Lambrecht B. Evaluation of the pathogenicity of West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 strains in a SPF chicken model of infection: NS3-249Pro mutation is neither sufficient nor necessary for conferring virulence. Vet Res 2015; 46:130. [PMID: 26518144 PMCID: PMC4628354 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-015-0257-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV) strains were reported for the first time in Europe in 2004. Despite an almost silent circulation around their entry point in Hungary, an upsurge of pathogenicity occurred in 2010 as 262 people suffered from neuroinvasive disease in Greece. This increase in virulence was imputed to the emergence of a His249Pro mutation in the viral NS3 helicase, as previously evidenced in American crows experimentally infected with the prototype lineage 1 North-American WNV strain. However, since 2003, WNV strains bearing the NS3Pro genotype are regularly isolated in Western-Mediterranean countries without being correlated to any virulent outbreak in vertebrates. We thus sought to evaluate the weight of the NS3249Pro genotype as a virulence marker of WNV in an in vivo avian model of WNV infection. We therefore characterized three genetically-related Eastern-Europe lineage 2 WNV strains in day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens: Hun2004 and Aus2008 which are both characterized by a NS3249His genotype, and Gr2011 which is characterized by a NS3249Pro genotype. Unlike Hun2004 and Aus2008, Gr2011 was weakly virulent in SPF chicks as Gr2011-induced viremia was lower and waned quicklier than in the Hun2004 and Aus2008 groups. Overall, this study showed that the presence of a proline residue at position 249 of the viral NS3 helicase is neither sufficient nor necessary to confer pathogenicity to any given lineage 2 WNV strain in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Dridi
- Operational Direction of Viral Diseases, CODA-CERVA-Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, 99 Groeselenberg, 1180, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Thierry Van Den Berg
- Operational Direction of Viral Diseases, CODA-CERVA-Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, 99 Groeselenberg, 1180, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- UPE, UMR1161 Virologie, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail (ANSES), Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA), 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Benedicte Lambrecht
- Operational Direction of Viral Diseases, CODA-CERVA-Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, 99 Groeselenberg, 1180, Brussels, Belgium.
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16
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Evaluation of Cross-Protection of a Lineage 1 West Nile Virus Inactivated Vaccine against Natural Infections from a Virulent Lineage 2 Strain in Horses, under Field Conditions. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2015; 22:1040-9. [PMID: 26178384 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00302-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Although experimental data regarding cross-protection of horse West Nile virus (WNV) vaccines against lineage 2 infections exist, the cross-protective efficacy of these vaccines under field conditions has not been demonstrated. This study was conducted to evaluate the capability of an inactivated lineage 1 vaccine (Equip WNV) to protect against natural infections from the Nea Santa-Greece-2010 lineage 2 strain. In total, 185 WNV-seronegative horses in Thessaloniki, Greece, were selected during 2 consecutive years (2011 and 2012); 140 were immunized, and 45 were used as controls. Horses were examined for signs compatible with WNV infection. Neutralizing antibody titers against the Greek strain and the PaAn001/France lineage 1 strain were determined in immunized horses. WNV circulation was detected during both years in the study area. It was estimated that 37% and 27% of the horses were infected during 2011 and 2012, respectively. Three control animals developed clinical signs, and the WNV diagnosis was confirmed. Signs related to WNV infection were not observed in the vaccinated animals. The nonvaccinated animals had a 7.58% ± 1.82% higher chance of exhibiting signs than immunized animals (P < 0.05). Neutralizing antibodies raised against both strains in all immunized horses were detectable 1 month after the initial vaccination course. The cross-protective capacity of the lowest titer (1:40) was evident in 19 animals which were subsequently infected and did not exhibit signs. Neutralizing antibodies were detectable until the annual booster, when strong anamnestic responses were observed (geometrical mean titer ratio [GMTR] for lineage 1 of 30.2; GMTR for lineage 2 of 27.5). The results indicate that Equip WNV is capable of inducing cross-protection against natural infections from a virulent lineage 2 WNV strain in horses.
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17
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Szentpáli-Gavallér K, Antal L, Tóth M, Kemenesi G, Soltész Z, Dán A, Erdélyi K, Bányai K, Bálint A, Jakab F, Bakonyi T. Monitoring of West Nile virus in mosquitoes between 2011-2012 in Hungary. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015; 14:648-55. [PMID: 25229703 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a widely distributed mosquito-borne flavivirus. WNV strains are classified into several genetic lineages on the basis of phylogenetic differences. Whereas lineage 1 viruses are distributed worldwide, lineage 2 WNV was first detected outside of Africa in Hungary in 2004. Since then, WNV-associated disease and mortality in animal and human hosts have been documented periodically in Hungary. After the first detection of WNV from a pool of Culex pipiens mosquitoes in 2010, samples were collated from several sources and tested in a 2-year monitoring program. Collection areas were located in the Southern Transdanubium, in northeastern Hungary, in eastern Hungary, and in southeastern Hungary. During the 2 years, 23,193 mosquitoes in 645 pools were screened for WNV virus presence with RT-PCR. Three pools were found positive for WNV in 2011 (one pool of Ochlerotatus annulipes collected in Fényeslitke in June, one pool of Coquillettidia richiardii collected in Debrecen, Fancsika-tó, in July, and one pool of Cx. pipiens captured near Red-Footed Falcon colonies at Kardoskút in September). The minimal infection rate (MIR=proportion of infected mosquitoes per 1000 mosquitoes) of all mosquito pools was 0.25, whereas the MIR of infected species was 2.03 for O. annulipes, 0.63 for C. richiardii, and 2.70 for C.x pipiens. Molecular data have demonstrated that the same lineage 2 WNV strain has circulated in wild birds, horses, humans, and mosquitoes in Hungary since 2004. Mosquito-based surveillance successfully complemented the ongoing, long-term passive surveillance system and it was useful for the early detection of WNV circulation.
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18
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Dinu S, Cotar AI, Pănculescu-Gătej IR, Fălcuţă E, Prioteasa FL, Sîrbu A, Oprişan G, Bădescu D, Reiter P, Ceianu CS. West Nile virus circulation in South-Eastern Romania, 2011 to 2013. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 20. [PMID: 26027486 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2015.20.20.21130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV), previously found only in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, was identified in Hungary in 2004 and has rapidly expanded in Europe in the past decade. Following a significant outbreak of West Nile fever with neurological cases caused by lineage 1 WNV in Romania in 1996, scattered cases have been recorded in the south-east of the country in each transmission season. Another outbreak, affecting a larger area and caused by lineage 2 WNV, was recorded in 2010. We analysed human sera from neuroinvasive West Nile fever cases and mosquitoes, sampled in south-eastern Romania between 2011 and 2013, for the presence of WNV genome, and obtained partial NS5 and envelope glycoprotein sequences. Human- and mosquito-derived WNV sequences were highly similar (99%) to Volgograd 2007 lineage 2 WNV and differed from isolates previously detected in central and southern Europe. WNV was detected in one pool of Culex pipiens s.l. males, documenting vertical transmission. Lineage 4 WNV, of unknown pathogenicity to mammals, was found in the amphibian-feeding mosquito Uranotaenia unguiculata from the Danube Delta. Our results present molecular evidence for the maintenance of the same isolates of Volgograd 2007-like lineage 2 WNV in south-eastern Romania between 2011 and 2013.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dinu
- Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory, Cantacuzino National Institute of Research-Development for Microbiology and Immunology, Bucharest, Romania
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19
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Bouzalas IG, Diakakis N, Chaintoutis SC, Brellou GD, Papanastassopoulou M, Danis K, Vlemmas I, Seuberlich T, Dovas CI. Emergence of Equine West Nile Encephalitis in Central Macedonia, Greece, 2010. Transbound Emerg Dis 2015; 63:e219-e227. [PMID: 25660661 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
During the summer of 2010, an outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) infections attributed to a lineage 2 WNV strain was reported among humans and horses in Central Macedonia, Northern Greece. Here, the clinical and laboratory investigation of horses that showed severe neurological signs due to WNV infection is being described. Specifically, between August and September 2010, 17 horses with neurological signs were detected. WNV infection was confirmed in all 17 clinical cases by applying laboratory testing. The duration of WNV-specific IgM antibodies in sera obtained from seven of the clinically affected horses was relatively short (10-60 days; mean 44 days). In the regional unit of Thessaloniki, (i) seroprevalence of WNV and fatality rate in horses were high (33% and 30%, respectively), and (ii) the ratio of neurological manifestations-to-infections for this virus strain was high (19%). These observations indicate that the strain responsible for the massive human epidemic of 2010 in Greece was also highly pathogenic for horses. This is the first time that WNV infection has been documented in horses with clinical manifestations in Greece. WNV infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of horses with encephalitis in Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- I G Bouzalas
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.,NeuroCenter, Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - N Diakakis
- Equine Unit, Companion Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - S C Chaintoutis
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - G D Brellou
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - M Papanastassopoulou
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - K Danis
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - I Vlemmas
- Laboratory of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - T Seuberlich
- NeuroCenter, Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - C I Dovas
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. .,Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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20
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Abstract
Approximately 2 years have passed since the detection of the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Greece, which was the starting signal of a large outbreak in 2010, followed by a second one in 2011. More than 250 neuroinvasive disease cases with 15% fatality were observed during the two WNV seasons. WNV lineage 2 sequences were obtained from blood donors, Culex mosquitoes, wild birds and sentinel chickens. The Greek WNV strain shows high genetic relatedness to the goshawk-Hungary/04 WNV strain; an amino acid substitution in nonstructural protein 3 (H249P) is observed, which has been previously associated with increased virus transmission. This article provides an overview of the WNV outbreaks in Greece and discusses the knowledge gained from these events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for Arboviruses, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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21
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Chaintoutis SC, Dovas CI, Danis K, Gewehr S, Mourelatos S, Hadjichristodoulou C, Papanastassopoulou M. Surveillance and Early Warning of West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Using Backyard Chickens and Correlation to Human Neuroinvasive Cases. Zoonoses Public Health 2014; 62:344-55. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. C. Chaintoutis
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; School of Veterinary Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - C. I. Dovas
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; School of Veterinary Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - K. Danis
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention; Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; Athens Greece
| | - S. Gewehr
- Ecodevelopment S.A. - Environmental Applications; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - S. Mourelatos
- Ecodevelopment S.A. - Environmental Applications; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - C. Hadjichristodoulou
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology; School of Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; University of Thessaly; Larissa Greece
| | - M. Papanastassopoulou
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; School of Veterinary Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
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22
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Saegerman C, Alba-Casals A, García-Bocanegra I, Dal Pozzo F, van Galen G. Clinical Sentinel Surveillance of Equine West Nile Fever, Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2014; 63:184-93. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Saegerman
- Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis applied to veterinary science (UREAR-ULg); Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH); Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liege; Liege Belgium
| | - A. Alba-Casals
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA); UAB-IRTA; Barcelona Spain
| | - I. García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria; Universidad de Córdoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3); Córdoba Spain
| | - F. Dal Pozzo
- Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis applied to veterinary science (UREAR-ULg); Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH); Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Liege; Liege Belgium
| | - G. van Galen
- Large Animal Clinic, Internal Medicine and Surgery; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
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23
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Kemenesi G, Krtinić B, Milankov V, Kutas A, Dallos B, Oldal M, Somogyi N, Nemeth V, Banyai K, Jakab F. West Nile virus surveillance in mosquitoes, April to October 2013, Vojvodina province, Serbia: implications for the 2014 season. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 19:20779. [PMID: 24786260 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.16.20779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
After the West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak in 2012, we collected mosquito samples from Vojvodina province, Serbia, in 2013. We found high WNV infection rate in two species, Culex pipiens and Anopheles maculipennis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Serbian WNV strains from 2013 were most closely related to Italian and Greek strains isolated in 2012 and 2010, respectively. Public health authorities should be aware of a potentially increased risk of WNV activity during the 2014 season.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kemenesi
- Virological Research Group, Szentagothai Research Center, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
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24
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Pervanidou D, Detsis M, Danis K, Mellou K, Papanikolaou E, Terzaki I, Baka A, Veneti L, Vakali A, Dougas G, Politis C, Stamoulis K, Tsiodras S, Georgakopoulou T, Papa A, Tsakris A, Kremastinou J, Hadjichristodoulou C. West Nile virus outbreak in humans, Greece, 2012: third consecutive year of local transmission. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 19. [PMID: 24721540 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.13.20758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pervanidou
- Hellenic Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Athens, Greece
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25
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Chaintoutis SC, Dovas CI, Papanastassopoulou M, Gewehr S, Danis K, Beck C, Lecollinet S, Antalis V, Kalaitzopoulou S, Panagiotopoulos T, Mourelatos S, Zientara S, Papadopoulos O. Evaluation of a West Nile virus surveillance and early warning system in Greece, based on domestic pigeons. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2014; 37:131-41. [PMID: 24503179 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2014.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In the summer of 2010 an epidemic of West Nile virus (WNV) occurred in Central Macedonia, Greece, with 197 human neuroinvasive disease (WNND) cases. In the following years the virus spread to new areas, with a total of 76 WNND cases in 2011, and 109 WNND cases in 2012 (14 and 12 WNND cases, respectively, in Central Macedonia). We established a surveillance system based on serological testing of domestic pigeons, using cELISA confirmed by serum neutralization test. In Central Macedonia, pigeon seroprevalence was 54% (95% CI: 49-59%) and 31% (95% CI: 24-37%) at the end of the 2010 and 2011 epidemic seasons, respectively. One serum was positive for neutralizing antibodies directed against Usutu virus. Pigeon WNV seroprevalence and incidence rates of human WNND after the 2010 epidemic were positively correlated (ρ=0.94, at the regional unit level), while in 2011 the correlation (ρ=0.56) was not statistically significant, possibly due to small number of human WNND cases recorded. To evaluate the efficacy of the system at alerting upon WNV enzootic circulation before the onset of human cases, we tested 270 pigeons in 2011 and 240 pigeons in 2012. In Central Macedonia, the first seroconversions in pigeons were recorded 44 and 47 days, respectively, before the first human WNND cases. Pigeon surveillance was used successfully for identification of areas with WNV enzootic transmission and for early warning. Timely diffusion of information to health authorities facilitated the implementation of preparedness plans to protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serafeim C Chaintoutis
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chrysostomos I Dovas
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Maria Papanastassopoulou
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sandra Gewehr
- Ecodevelopment S.A. - Environmental Applications, Filyro, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kostas Danis
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 15123 Athens, Greece
| | - Cécile Beck
- European Reference Laboratory for Equine Diseases, UPEC, UMR 1161 Virology, INRA, ANSES, ENVA, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sylvie Lecollinet
- European Reference Laboratory for Equine Diseases, UPEC, UMR 1161 Virology, INRA, ANSES, ENVA, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Vasilis Antalis
- Ecodevelopment S.A. - Environmental Applications, Filyro, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stella Kalaitzopoulou
- Ecodevelopment S.A. - Environmental Applications, Filyro, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Takis Panagiotopoulos
- Department of Surveillance and Intervention, Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 15123 Athens, Greece; Department of Child Health, National School of Public Health, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Spiros Mourelatos
- Ecodevelopment S.A. - Environmental Applications, Filyro, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stéphan Zientara
- European Reference Laboratory for Equine Diseases, UPEC, UMR 1161 Virology, INRA, ANSES, ENVA, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Orestis Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Ladbury GAF, Gavana M, Danis K, Papa A, Papamichail D, Mourelatos S, Gewehr S, Theocharopoulos G, Bonovas S, Benos A, Panagiotopoulos T. Population seroprevalence study after a West Nile virus lineage 2 epidemic, Greece, 2010. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80432. [PMID: 24260390 PMCID: PMC3832368 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction During summer 2010, 262 human cases including 35 deaths from West Nile virus (WNV) infection were reported from Central Macedonia, Greece. Evidence from mosquitoes, birds and blood donors demonstrated that the epidemic was caused by WNV lineage 2, which until recently was considered of low virulence. We conducted a household seroprevalence study to estimate the spread of infection in the population during the epidemic, ascertain the relationship of infection to clinical disease, and identify risk factors for infection. Methods We used a two-stage cluster design to select a random sample of residents aged ≥18 years in the outbreak epicentre. We collected demographic, medical, and risk factor data using standard questionnaires and environmental checklists, and tested serum samples for presence of WNV IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. Results Overall, 723 individuals participated in the study, and 644 blood samples were available. Weighted seropositivity for IgG antibodies was 5.8% (95% CI: 3.8–8.6; n=41). We estimated that about 1 in 130 (1:141 to 1:124) infected individuals developed WNV neuroinvasive disease, and approximately 18% had clinical manifestations attributable to their infection. Risk factors for infection reflected high exposure to mosquitoes; rural residents were particularly at risk (prevalence ratio: 8.2, 95% CI: 1.1–58.7). Discussion This study adds to the evidence that WNV lineage 2 strains can cause significant illness, demonstrating ratios of infection to clinical disease similar to those found previously for WNV lineage 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia A. F. Ladbury
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
- Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Magda Gavana
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kostas Danis
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO), Athens, Greece
- National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
- * E-mail:
| | - Anna Papa
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | - Stefanos Bonovas
- Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO), Athens, Greece
| | - Alexis Benos
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Chaintoutis SC, Chaskopoulou A, Chassalevris T, Koehler PG, Papanastassopoulou M, Dovas CI. West Nile virus lineage 2 strain in Greece, 2012. Emerg Infect Dis 2013; 19:827-9. [PMID: 23697609 PMCID: PMC3647506 DOI: 10.3201/eid1905.121418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Engler O, Savini G, Papa A, Figuerola J, Groschup MH, Kampen H, Medlock J, Vaux A, Wilson AJ, Werner D, Jöst H, Goffredo M, Capelli G, Federici V, Tonolla M, Patocchi N, Flacio E, Portmann J, Rossi-Pedruzzi A, Mourelatos S, Ruiz S, Vázquez A, Calzolari M, Bonilauri P, Dottori M, Schaffner F, Mathis A, Johnson N. European surveillance for West Nile virus in mosquito populations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 10:4869-95. [PMID: 24157510 PMCID: PMC3823308 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10104869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A wide range of arthropod-borne viruses threaten both human and animal health either through their presence in Europe or through risk of introduction. Prominent among these is West Nile virus (WNV), primarily an avian virus, which has caused multiple outbreaks associated with human and equine mortality. Endemic outbreaks of West Nile fever have been reported in Italy, Greece, France, Romania, Hungary, Russia and Spain, with further spread expected. Most outbreaks in Western Europe have been due to infection with WNV Lineage 1. In Eastern Europe WNV Lineage 2 has been responsible for human and bird mortality, particularly in Greece, which has experienced extensive outbreaks over three consecutive years. Italy has experienced co-circulation with both virus lineages. The ability to manage this threat in a cost-effective way is dependent on early detection. Targeted surveillance for pathogens within mosquito populations offers the ability to detect viruses prior to their emergence in livestock, equine species or human populations. In addition, it can establish a baseline of mosquito-borne virus activity and allow monitoring of change to this over time. Early detection offers the opportunity to raise disease awareness, initiate vector control and preventative vaccination, now available for horses, and encourage personal protection against mosquito bites. This would have major benefits through financial savings and reduction in equid morbidity/mortality. However, effective surveillance that predicts virus outbreaks is challenged by a range of factors including limited resources, variation in mosquito capture rates (too few or too many), difficulties in mosquito identification, often reliant on specialist entomologists, and the sensitive, rapid detection of viruses in mosquito pools. Surveillance for WNV and other arboviruses within mosquito populations varies between European countries in the extent and focus of the surveillance. This study reviews the current status of WNV in mosquito populations across Europe and how this is informing our understanding of virus epidemiology. Key findings such as detection of virus, presence of vector species and invasive mosquito species are summarized, and some of the difficulties encountered when applying a cost-effective surveillance programme are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Engler
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, Spiez 3700, Switzerland; E-Mails: (O.E.); (J.P.)
| | - Giovanni Savini
- Zooprofilactic Institute Abruzzo and Molise “G. Caporale”, Campo Boario, Teramo 64100, Italy; E-Mails: (G.S.); (M.G.); (V.F.)
| | - Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece; E-Mail:
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Avda. Américo Vespucio s/n, Sevilla 41092, Spain; E-Mail:
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Südufer 17493, Germany; E-Mails: (M.H.G.); (H.K.)
| | - Helge Kampen
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald—Insel Riems, Südufer 17493, Germany; E-Mails: (M.H.G.); (H.K.)
| | - Jolyon Medlock
- Public Health England, Medical Entomology group, MRA, Emergency Response Department, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; E-Mails: (J.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Alexander Vaux
- Public Health England, Medical Entomology group, MRA, Emergency Response Department, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; E-Mails: (J.M.); (A.V.)
| | | | - Doreen Werner
- Institute of Land Use Systems, Leibnitz Centre for Agricultural Lanscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Strasse 84, Müncheberg 15374, Germany; E-Mail:
| | - Hanna Jöst
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, Hamburg, Germany and German Mosquito Control Association (KABS), Waldsee and Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg D-20359, Germany; E-Mail:
| | - Maria Goffredo
- Zooprofilactic Institute Abruzzo and Molise “G. Caporale”, Campo Boario, Teramo 64100, Italy; E-Mails: (G.S.); (M.G.); (V.F.)
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Zooprofilactic Institute Venezie, Viale dell’ Università, 10, Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Valentina Federici
- Zooprofilactic Institute Abruzzo and Molise “G. Caporale”, Campo Boario, Teramo 64100, Italy; E-Mails: (G.S.); (M.G.); (V.F.)
| | - Mauro Tonolla
- Institute of Microbiology, Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Via Mirasole 22a, Bellinzona CH-6500, Switzerland; E-Mail:
| | - Nicola Patocchi
- Mosquito Working Group, via al Castello, Canobbio CH-6952, Switzerland; E-Mails: (N.P.); (E.F.); (A.R.-P.)
| | - Eleonora Flacio
- Mosquito Working Group, via al Castello, Canobbio CH-6952, Switzerland; E-Mails: (N.P.); (E.F.); (A.R.-P.)
| | - Jasmine Portmann
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, Spiez 3700, Switzerland; E-Mails: (O.E.); (J.P.)
| | - Anya Rossi-Pedruzzi
- Mosquito Working Group, via al Castello, Canobbio CH-6952, Switzerland; E-Mails: (N.P.); (E.F.); (A.R.-P.)
| | | | - Santiago Ruiz
- Servicio de Control de Mosquitos, Diputación Provincial de Huelva, Huelva E-21003, Spain; E-Mail:
| | - Ana Vázquez
- CNM-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain; E-Mail:
| | - Mattia Calzolari
- Zooprofilactic Institute Lombardy and Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini”, Brescia 25124, Italy; E-Mails: (M.C.); (P.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Paolo Bonilauri
- Zooprofilactic Institute Lombardy and Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini”, Brescia 25124, Italy; E-Mails: (M.C.); (P.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Michele Dottori
- Zooprofilactic Institute Lombardy and Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini”, Brescia 25124, Italy; E-Mails: (M.C.); (P.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Francis Schaffner
- Institute of Parasitology, National Centre for Vector Entomology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr 266a, Zurich 8057, Switzerland; E-Mails: (F.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Alexander Mathis
- Institute of Parasitology, National Centre for Vector Entomology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr 266a, Zurich 8057, Switzerland; E-Mails: (F.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey KT15, 3NB, UK
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +44-(0)1932-357-937; Fax: +44-(0)1932-357-239
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Chaskopoulou A, Dovas CI, Chaintoutis SC, Kashefi J, Koehler P, Papanastassopoulou M. Detection and Early Warning of West Nile Virus Circulation in Central Macedonia, Greece, Using Sentinel Chickens and Mosquitoes. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2013; 13:723-32. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Chaskopoulou
- USDA-ARS European Biological Control Laboratory, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Entomology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Chrysostomos I. Dovas
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Serafeim C. Chaintoutis
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Javid Kashefi
- USDA-ARS European Biological Control Laboratory, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Philip Koehler
- Department of Entomology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Maria Papanastassopoulou
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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30
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Barzon L, Papa A, Pacenti M, Franchin E, Lavezzo E, Squarzon L, Masi G, Martello T, Testa T, Cusinato R, Palù G. Genome sequencing of West Nile Virus from human cases in Greece, 2012. Viruses 2013; 5:2311-9. [PMID: 24064795 PMCID: PMC3798904 DOI: 10.3390/v5092311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2013] [Revised: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A West Nile Virus (WNV) lineage 2 strain, named Nea Santa-Greece-2010, has been demonstrated to be responsible for the large outbreaks of neuroinvasive disease (WNND) that have been occurring in Greece since 2010, based on sequence similarities of viral isolates identified between 2010–2012. However, knowledge on the evolution of this strain is scarce because only partial WNV genome sequences are available from Greece. The aim of this study was to get the complete genome sequence of WNV from patients with infection. To this aim, plasma and urine samples collected during the 2012 Greek outbreak were retrospectively investigated. Full WNV genome sequence was obtained from a patient with WNND. The genome had 99.7% sequence identity to Nea Santa, higher than to other related WNV lineage 2 strains, and five amino acid changes apparently not relevant for viral pathogenicity or fitness. In addition, infection by WNV lineage 2 was confirmed in additional nine patients with WNND; in three of them the infection with WNV Nea Santa was demonstrated by sequencing. In conclusion, this study characterized for the first time a WNV full genome from a patient with WNND from Greece, demonstrated the persistence of the Nea Santa strain, and suggested that the virus might have locally evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Barzon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (L.B.); (E.F.); (E.L.); (L.S.); (G.M.); (T.M.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Padova University Hospital, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (M.P.); (R.C.)
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (L.B.); (G.P.); Tel.: +39-049-821-8946 (L.B.); +39-049-827-2350 (G.P.); Fax: +39-049-827-2355 (L.B.); +39-049-827-2355 (G.P.)
| | - Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54621, Greece; E-Mails: (A.P.); (T.T.)
| | - Monia Pacenti
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Padova University Hospital, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (M.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Elisa Franchin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (L.B.); (E.F.); (E.L.); (L.S.); (G.M.); (T.M.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Padova University Hospital, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (M.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Enrico Lavezzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (L.B.); (E.F.); (E.L.); (L.S.); (G.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Laura Squarzon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (L.B.); (E.F.); (E.L.); (L.S.); (G.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Giulia Masi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (L.B.); (E.F.); (E.L.); (L.S.); (G.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Thomas Martello
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (L.B.); (E.F.); (E.L.); (L.S.); (G.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Theodolinta Testa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54621, Greece; E-Mails: (A.P.); (T.T.)
| | - Riccardo Cusinato
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Padova University Hospital, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (M.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Giorgio Palù
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (L.B.); (E.F.); (E.L.); (L.S.); (G.M.); (T.M.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Padova University Hospital, 35122 Padova, Italy; E-Mails: (M.P.); (R.C.)
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (L.B.); (G.P.); Tel.: +39-049-821-8946 (L.B.); +39-049-827-2350 (G.P.); Fax: +39-049-827-2355 (L.B.); +39-049-827-2355 (G.P.)
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Papa A, Papadopoulou E, Gavana E, Kalaitzopoulou S, Mourelatos S. Detection of West Nile Virus Lineage 2 in Culex Mosquitoes, Greece, 2012. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2013; 13:682-4. [DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2012.1212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Papa
- A′ Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elpida Papadopoulou
- A′ Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elpida Gavana
- A′ Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
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Paz S, Semenza JC. Environmental drivers of West Nile fever epidemiology in Europe and Western Asia--a review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 10:3543-62. [PMID: 23939389 PMCID: PMC3774453 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10083543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2013] [Revised: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abiotic and biotic conditions are both important determinants of West Nile Fever (WNF) epidemiology. Ambient temperature plays an important role in the growth rates of vector populations, the interval between blood meals, viral replication rates and transmission of West Nile Virus (WNV). The contribution of precipitation is more complex and less well understood. In this paper we discuss impacts of climatic parameters (temperature, relative humidity, precipitation) and other environmental drivers (such as bird migration, land use) on WNV transmission in Europe. WNV recently became established in southeastern Europe, with a large outbreak in the summer of 2010 and recurrent outbreaks in 2011 and 2012. Abundant competent mosquito vectors, bridge vectors, infected (viremic) migrating and local (amplifying) birds are all important characteristics of WNV transmission. In addition, certain key climatic factors, such as increased ambient temperatures, and by extension climate change, may also favor WNF transmission, and they should be taken into account when evaluating the risk of disease spread in the coming years. Monitoring epidemic precursors of WNF, such as significant temperature deviations in high risk areas, could be used to trigger vector control programs and public education campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Paz
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498837, Israel
| | - Jan C. Semenza
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Tomtebodavägen 11A, Stockholm 17183, Sweden; E-Mail:
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Ciccozzi M, Peletto S, Cella E, Giovanetti M, Lai A, Gabanelli E, Acutis PL, Modesto P, Rezza G, Platonov AE, Lo Presti A, Zehender G. Epidemiological history and phylogeography of West Nile virus lineage 2. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2013; 17:46-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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BRUGMAN VA, HORTON DL, PHIPPS LP, JOHNSON N, COOK AJC, FOOKS AR, BREED AC. Epidemiological perspectives on West Nile virus surveillance in wild birds in Great Britain. Epidemiol Infect 2013; 141:1134-42. [PMID: 22948134 PMCID: PMC9167650 DOI: 10.1017/s095026881200177x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Revised: 07/20/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic arthropod-borne pathogen with continued geographical expansion in Europe. We present and evaluate data on the temporal, spatial and bird species focus of the WNV surveillance programme in dead wild birds in Great Britain (2002-2009). During this period all bird samples tested negative for WNV. Eighty-two per cent of the 2072 submissions occurred during the peak period of vector activity with 53% tested during April-July before human and equine infection would be expected. Samples were received from every county, but there was significant geographical clustering (nearest neighbour index=0·23, P<0·001). Over 240 species were represented, with surveillance more likely to detect WNV in resident bird species (92% of submissions) than migrants (8%). Evidence indicates that widespread avian mortality is not generally a reported feature of WNV in Europe and hence additional activities other than dead bird surveillance may maximize the ability to detect WNV circulation before the onset of human and equine infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. A. BRUGMAN
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Camden, London, UK
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - D. L. HORTON
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - L. P. PHIPPS
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - N. JOHNSON
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - A. J. C. COOK
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - A. R. FOOKS
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Addlestone, Surrey, UK
- National Centre for Zoonosis Research, Leahurst, Neston, South Wirral, UK
| | - A. C. BREED
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Addlestone, Surrey, UK
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide, South Australia
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Gomes B, Kioulos E, Papa A, Almeida AP, Vontas J, Pinto J. Distribution and hybridization of Culex pipiens forms in Greece during the West Nile virus outbreak of 2010. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2013; 16:218-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Revised: 01/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Bargaoui R, Lecollinet S, Lancelot R. Mapping the Serological Prevalence Rate of West Nile fever in Equids, Tunisia. Transbound Emerg Dis 2013; 62:55-66. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Bargaoui
- Institut de la Recherche Vétérinaire de Tunisie (IRVT); Service de Virologie; Tunis Tunisie
| | - S. Lecollinet
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation; de l'Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), UMR n°1161 Virologie ANSES, INRA, ENVA; Maisons-Alfort France
| | - R. Lancelot
- CIRAD, UMR n°15 CMAEE (CIRAD, INRA); Montpellier France
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Rossini G, Carletti F, Rigoli R, Piga S, Bagnarelli P, Gaibani P, Pierro A, Nanni Costa A, Grossi P, Ippolito G, Landini MP, Di Caro A, Capobianchi MR, Sambri V. Heterogeneity of West Nile virus genotype 1a in Italy, 2011. J Gen Virol 2013; 94:314-317. [DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.046235-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is currently circulating in several European countries and, over recent decades, concomitantly with enhanced surveillance studies and improved diagnostic capabilities, an increase in the geographical distribution and in the number of cases in Europe has been documented. In Italy in 2011, 14 human cases of WNV neuroinvasive infections due to lineage 1 strains were registered in several Italian regions. Here we report WNV partial sequences obtained from serum samples of two patients living in different regions of Italy (Veneto and Sardinia). Phylogenetic analysis, performed on a fragment (566 nt) of the envelope gene, showed that WNV strains circulating in Italy in 2011 belong to lineage 1a, but are different from lineage 1a strains isolated in 2008–2009.The data reported here are consistent with the hypothesis of multiple recent introductions of WNV lineage 1a strains into Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Rossini
- Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), Unit of Clinical Microbiology, St Orsola University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Carletti
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) ‘L. Spallanzani’, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Sandro Piga
- Ospedale Santissima Trinità, Unit of Infectious Diseases, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bagnarelli
- Università Politecnica Marche, Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Ancona, Italy
| | - Paolo Gaibani
- Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), Unit of Clinical Microbiology, St Orsola University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Pierro
- Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), Unit of Clinical Microbiology, St Orsola University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Grossi
- Veneto Regional Coordinating Transplant Centre, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) ‘L. Spallanzani’, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Landini
- Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), Unit of Clinical Microbiology, St Orsola University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonino Di Caro
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) ‘L. Spallanzani’, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Vittorio Sambri
- Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), Unit of Clinical Microbiology, St Orsola University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Papa A, Xanthopoulou K, Tsioka A, Kalaitzopoulou S, Mourelatos S. West Nile virus in mosquitoes in Greece. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:1551-5. [PMID: 23371497 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3302-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Epidemics of West Nile virus (WNV) occurred for two consecutive years in Greece (in 2010 and 2011). A total of 16,116 adult Culex pipiens mosquitoes collected in two peripheries, Central Macedonia and Thessaly, were tested for WNV infection. WNV lineage 2 was detected in 6/296 mosquito pools, three in each year. The H249P substitution in the NS3 protein, previously associated with increased pathogenicity and thermotolerance, was detected in all six WNV-positive mosquito pools. When 21 individual C. pipiens mosquitoes were tested for the locus CQ11 to distinguish between the two C. pipiens forms, pipiens and molestus, 71.4% were identified as pipiens, 4.7% as molestus, and 19% as hybrid pipiens/molestus, giving the first evidence that both C. pipiens biotypes are present in Greece, with a significant proportion being hybrids. The exact role of the C. pipiens forms and hybrids in the WNV epidemiology, in combination or not with the H249P substitution in the virus genome, remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Papa
- A' Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National Reference Centre for Arboviruses, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54006, Greece.
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West Nile virus lineage 2 in Sardinian wild birds in 2012: a further threat to public health. Epidemiol Infect 2013; 141:2313-6. [PMID: 23343580 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268812003147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) strains belonging to lineage 2 were detected and isolated from the tissues of a goshawk and two carrion crows in Sardinia in August 2012. According to NS3 sequence analysis, the Sardinian isolates shared a high level of similarity with those of Italian lineage 2 strains which circulated in 2011 and with the homologous sequence of the 2004 Hungarian isolate. Following the human fatality reported in 2011 in Olbia, this study is the first to report the spread and enzootic circulation of WNV lineage 2 in Sardinia.
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Anastasiadou A, Kakoulidis I, Butel D, Kehagia E, Papa A. Follow-up study of Greek patients with West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease. Int J Infect Dis 2013; 17:e494-7. [PMID: 23317528 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2012.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Revised: 11/15/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the extent to which Greek patients with West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease (WNND) recovered from the initial infection in 2010, when a West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 outbreak took place. METHODS Twenty-two patients with WNND were examined 16 months after the onset of symptoms. The physical and mental function of the 22 survivors was evaluated. RESULTS A considerable persistent morbidity and long length of time to recovery was observed. The most common symptoms were anorexia (77.3%) and muscle weakness (72.7%), followed by memory impairment (36.4%) and depression (22.7%). Older age was correlated with memory impairment, muscle weakness, and permanent damage. A complete recovery was seen in 7/22 (31.8%) patients, while three patients presented permanent damage. The critical time-point was 1 year after the onset of symptoms; at that time the patient's health status was either highly improved or had deteriorated irreversibly. CONCLUSIONS WNND is associated with considerable short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. Lineage 2 strains need further scientific attention. Public health measures are needed to prevent the infection, especially in the elderly with underlying diseases.
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Spiroski M, Milenkovic Z, Petlichkovski A, Ivanovski L, Topuzovska IK, Djulejic E. Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in four human West Nile virus infections reported 2011 in the Republic of Macedonia. Hum Immunol 2012; 74:389-94. [PMID: 23220498 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2012.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2012] [Revised: 11/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic, arthropod-borne flavivirus that is maintained in an enzootic cycle between mosquitoes and birds, but can also infect and cause disease in horses and humans. The aim of this study was to examine KIR gene polymorphisms by determining the frequencies of 16 KIR genes and pseudogenes and KIR genotypes in Macedonian patients with West Nile virus infection, and to compare with healthy Macedonians. The studied sample consists Republic of Macedonia, hospitalized at the University Clinic of Infective Diseases between September 2011 and October 2011, and reported through WHO. For KIR genotyping, commercially available PEL-FREEZ KIR genotyping SSP kit (Dynal Biotech, Brown Deer, WI) was used. The population genetics analysis package, Arlequin, was used for analysis of the data. We found that all 16 KIR genes were observed in the studied individuals and framework genes (KIR3DL3, KIR3DP1, KIR2DL4, and KIR3DL2) were present in all individuals. Comparison of KIR frequencies between Macedonian patients with West Nile virus infection and healthy Macedonian population reveals several significant differences in the inhibitory group (KIR2DL2), and in the non inhibitory group (KIR2DS1, KIR2DS2, KIR2DS5, and KIR3DS1). The single most frequent genotypes in the Bx group were genotypes ID71 and ID89 with statistically significant difference compared to healthy Macedonians. Our results suggest that specific KIR genotypes could be connected with West Nile virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Spiroski
- Institute of Immunobiology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Macedonia.
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Valiakos G, Touloudi A, Athanasiou LV, Giannakopoulos A, Iacovakis C, Birtsas P, Spyrou V, Dalabiras Z, Petrovska L, Billinis C. Serological and molecular investigation into the role of wild birds in the epidemiology of West Nile virus in Greece. Virol J 2012; 9:266. [PMID: 23140247 PMCID: PMC3546012 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-9-266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A West Nile virus (WNV) disease outbreak occurred in 2010 in northern Greece with a total of 262 laboratory-confirmed human cases and 35 deaths. A serological and molecular surveillance was conducted on samples of hunter-harvested wild birds prior to and during the outbreak. Findings Serum and tissue samples from 295 resident and migratory wild birds, hunter-harvested during the 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 hunting seasons at the epicenter of the outbreak in northern Greece, were tested for the presence of WNV-specific antibodies by immunofluorescence assay and virus neutralization test. WNV neutralizing antibodies were detected in 53 avian samples. Fourteen positive sera were obtained from birds hunter-harvested up to 8 months prior to the human outbreak. Specific genetic determinants of virulence (His249Pro NS3 mutation, E-glycosylation motif) were recognized in a WNV lineage 2 strain isolated from a hunter-harvested Eurasian magpie and a nucleotide mismatch was revealed between this strain and a mosquito WNV strain isolated one month earlier in the same area. Conclusions This is the first report regarding exposure of wild birds to WNV prior to the 2010 outbreak, in Greece. Results provide evidence of the implication of wild birds in a local enzootic cycle that could allow maintenance and amplification of the virus before and during the outbreak. Findings of past exposure of migratory birds to WNV upon their arrival in Greece during autumn migration, suggest avian species with similar migration traits as candidates for the introduction of WNV into Greece. The possibility that an endemic circulation of WNV could have caused the outbreak, after an amplification cycle due to favorable conditions cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Valiakos
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 224 str, Trikalon, Karditsa, 43100, Greece
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Evidence of West Nile virus lineage 2 circulation in Northern Italy. Vet Microbiol 2012; 158:267-73. [PMID: 22406344 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Revised: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A West Nile virus (WNV) strain belonging to lineage 2 was for the first time detected in two pools of Culex pipiens collected in the province of Udine and in tissues of a wild collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) found dead in the province of Treviso, in North East of Italy. It was molecularly identified by group and WNV lineage specific RT-PCRs and characterized by partial sequencing of the NS3 and NS5 genes. When compared with the sequences of same fragments of NS3 and NS5 of the WNV lineage 2 strain isolated from birds of prey in Hungary (2004), the phylogenetic analysis of these sequences revealed 100% and 99% similarity, respectively. As the Hungarian strain, the NS3 selected sequence differed from the 2010 Greek isolate by one amino-acid located at 249 site which is the site involved in genetic modulation of WNV pathogenicity. The Italian and Hungarian strains have histidine rather than proline at this site. The presence of a lineage 2 strain in regions where the lineage 1 strain is still circulating, creates a new scenario with unpredictable consequences. In this situation comprehensive investigations on the occurrence, ecology, and epidemiology of these different WNV strains circulating in Italy become the highest priority.
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Valiakos G, Touloudi A, Athanasiou LV, Giannakopoulos A, Iacovakis C, Birtsas P, Spyrou V, Dalabiras Z, Petrovska L, Billinis C. Exposure of Eurasian magpies and turtle doves to West Nile virus during a major human outbreak, Greece, 2011. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-011-0603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Roberts H, Lopez M. International disease monitoring, July to September 2011. Vet Rec 2011; 169:547-50. [PMID: 22206093 DOI: 10.1136/vr.d7094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H Roberts
- Veterinary and Science Policy Advice Team, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Defra, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
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