First Serological Evidence of West Nile Virus Among Equines and Birds in Kosovo, 2018-2019

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Rexhepi A., Sherifi K., Berxholi K., Xhekaj B., Muja-Bajraktari N., ÖZKUL A., ...Daha Fazla

VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES, cilt.21, sa.2, ss.116-120, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1089/vbz.2020.2673
  • Dergi Adı: VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Environment Index, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.116-120
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: West Nile virus, Kosovo, equines, birds, mosquitoes, LINEAGE 2, INFECTION, HORSES, OUTBREAK, GREECE
  • Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study was conducted to assess the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) in Kosovo by serological testing of apparently healthy local horses and free-range chicken, and it attempted to detect viral nucleic acid in birds and mosquitoes. Between January 2018 and June 2019, 260 equine serum samples were collected, additionally 580 adult mosquitoes (53 pools) were grouped in for genera, includingCulexspp. (226 individuals; 26 pools),Aedesspp. (136 individuals; 16 pools),Anophelesspp. (184 individuals; 7 pools), andCulisetaspp. (34 individuals; 4 pools). Fifty domestic birds and 51 wild birds were collected from different regions of Kosovo. Equine and domestic bird serum samples were tested by flavivirus IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while mosquitoes and bird viscera were tested for WNV RNA by RT-qPCR. All ELISA-positive results were confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) and eight by virus neutralization test. WNV antibodies were present in 27 out of 260 equine sera (10.38%) and one out of 50 samples in domestic birds by ELISA and PRNT. Eight of 27 positive equine serum samples with high titer neutralized WNV, but not Usutu virus. No WNV RNA was detected in birds or mosquitoes. The occurrence of WNV antibodies in local equines from all regions of Kosovo indicates that the virus is circulating within the country. Public health authorities should therefore plan a risk assessment and disease control program.