Sentinel birds in wild-bird resting sites as potential indicators for West Nile virus infections in Germany

Ziegler, Ute; Seidowski, Diana; Globig, Anja; Fereidouni, Sasan; Ulrich, Rainer G.; Groschup, Martin H.

doi:10.1007/s00705-010-0618-z

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…AF196835) and/or strain Austria (lineage 2, accession no. HM015884, kindly provided by Dr. N. Nowotny, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna) as described previously [35]. …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) – findings on cross reactivity and longevity of TBEV antibodies in animal sera

et al. 2014

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BackgroundBy using animal sera as sentinels, natural TBEV foci could be identified and further analyses including investigations of ticks could be initiated. However, antibody response against TBEV-related flaviviruses might adversely affect the readout of such a monitoring. Therefore, the cross-reactivity of the applied TBEV serology test systems – enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and virus neutralization test (VNT) – as well as the longevity of TBEV antibody titres in sheep and goats were investigated in this study.ResultsCross-reactivity of the TBEV antibody test systems with defined antibody-positive samples against selected members of the Flaviviridae family (e.g. Louping ill virus, West Nile virus) was observed for Louping-ill-positive sera only. In contrast, the commercial West Nile virus (WNV) competitive ELISA showed a high level of cross-reactivity with TBEV-specific positive sera.To assess the longevity of TBEV antibody titres, sera from two sheep and two goats, which had been immunized four times with a commercially available TBEV vaccine, were tested routinely over 28 months. In three of the four animals, TBEV-specific antibody titres could be detected over the whole test period.In addition, sera from the years 2010 and 2011 were collected in flocks in different villages of Baden-Württemberg and Thuringia to allow re-examination two to four years after the initial analysis. Interestingly, in most cases the results of the former investigations were confirmed, which may be caused by steadily existing natural TBEV foci.ConclusionCross-reactivity must be taken into consideration, particularly for TBEV serology in regions with a prevalence of Louping ill virus and for serological testing of WNV by cross-reactive ELISAs. Furthermore, over-interpretation of single TBEV-positive serological results should be avoided, especially in areas without a TBEV history.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) – findings on cross reactivity and longevity of TBEV antibodies in animal sera

et al. 2014

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“…Finally, captive or non-migratory wild ducks that are allowed to come into contact with wild waterbirds can be used as sentinels and early warning systems to monitor local infection dynamics of a wide range of pathogens (e.g. Ziegler et al, 2010;Farnsworth et al, 2012;Rollo et al, 2012).…”

Section: (3) Disease Surveillancementioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem services provided by waterbirds

2013

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Ecosystem services are ecosystem processes that directly or indirectly benefit human well-being. There has been much recent literature identifying different services and the communities and species that provide them. This is a vital first step towards management and maintenance of these services. In this review, we specifically address the waterbirds, which play key functional roles in many aquatic ecosystems, including as predators, herbivores and vectors of seeds, invertebrates and nutrients, although these roles have often been overlooked. Waterbirds can maintain the diversity of other organisms, control pests, be effective bioindicators of ecological conditions, and act as sentinels of potential disease outbreaks. They also provide important provisioning (meat, feathers, eggs, etc.) and cultural services to both indigenous and westernized societies. We identify key gaps in the understanding of ecosystem services provided by waterbirds and areas for future research required to clarify their functional role in ecosystems and the services they provide. We consider how the economic value of these services could be calculated, giving some examples. Such valuation will provide powerful arguments for waterbird conservation.

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“…Some sera collected in February 2011 (end of 2010-2011 hunting season) in prefectures of Larissa and Attica were also tested. Sera were tested for the presence of WNV specific antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA); commercially available slides (EUROIMMUN®; Luebeck, Germany) were employed, as described previously, and the determined cut-off value of 1:30 was used (Ziegler et al 2010). Each sample was placed in a single substrate containing both WNV infected and non-infected cells in order to avoid false positive results.…”

Section: Methods and Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure of Eurasian magpies and turtle doves to West Nile virus during a major human outbreak, Greece, 2011

et al. 2011

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A major number of West Nile virus (WNV) infections in humans occurred in 2010 in northern Greece, with 262 laboratory confirmed cases. In 2011, fewer cases were reported, but the pattern was more dispersed throughout the Greek mainland. Isolated strains were similar to lineage 2 strains detected in previous years in Austria and Hungary from birds of prey. We conducted a serological surveillance study on hunterharvested wild birds, to determine possible exposure of avian species during the current outbreak. Serum samples from a total of 113 Eurasian magpies and 85 turtle doves (abundant resident and migratory avian species, respectively, with potential roles in WNV epidemiology) were tested. These birds were hunter-harvested during 2011 from various prefectures both affected and not affected by the WNV outbreak in Greece. Sera were tested for the presence of WNV IgG antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Verification of positive results by a microvirus neutralization test (VNT) was also performed. A total of 23 out of 113 (20.4%) Eurasian magpies and 6/ 85 (7.1%) turtle doves were found positive. Results showed association of human cases with wild birds' exposure to the virus; no avian sera were found positive in prefectures not affected by the WNV outbreak. In contrast, positive avian sera were found in every prefecture that human WNV cases occurred in 2011. High seroprevalence in Eurasian magpies suggests high activity of WNV in the areas. Findings of past exposure of migratory birds like turtle doves to WNV upon their arrival in resting areas in Greece suggest various avian species with similar migration traits as target species for viral isolation studies, as they can be considered candidates for the introduction of WNV lineage 2 in Greece from Central Europe.

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Sentinel birds in wild-bird resting sites as potential indicators for West Nile virus infections in Germany

Cited by 17 publications

References 14 publications

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) – findings on cross reactivity and longevity of TBEV antibodies in animal sera

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) – findings on cross reactivity and longevity of TBEV antibodies in animal sera

Ecosystem services provided by waterbirds

Exposure of Eurasian magpies and turtle doves to West Nile virus during a major human outbreak, Greece, 2011

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