West Nile and Usutu Viruses in Mosquitoes in Spain, 2008–2009

Vázquez, Ana; Ruíz, Santiago; Herrero, Laura; Moreno, Juana; Molero, Fernando; Magallanes, Antonio; Sánchez-Seco, María Paz; Figuerola, Jordi; Tenorio, Antonio

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2011.11-0042

Cited by 109 publications

(112 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…USUV is also a member of the genus Flavivirus and the Japanese encephalitis serocomplex [41]. In Europe, USUV emerged in Austria in 2001 [42] and outbreaks have also been reported in Hungary [43], in Switzerland, in Italy [44], in Spain [45], and in Germany [46]. The detection of neutralizing antibodies against USUV in our WNV surveillance system is similar to findings in Northern Italy, where antibodies against USUV were detected in sentinel animals tested within the framework of the WNV surveillance system, providing evidence of co-circulation of WNV and USUV in the same area [47].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a West Nile virus surveillance and early warning system in Greece, based on domestic pigeons

Chaintoutis¹,

Dovas²,

Papanastassopoulou³

et al. 2014

Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

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a b s t r a c tIn 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 ( = 0.94, at the regional unit level), while in 2011 the correlation ( = 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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a West Nile virus surveillance and early warning system in Greece, based on domestic pigeons

Chaintoutis¹,

Dovas²,

Papanastassopoulou³

et al. 2014

Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

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“…Thus, mosquitoes naturally infected with insect-only flaviviruses (SCxFV and SOcFV between others) or MMV could be refractory or more susceptible to superinfection with another flavivirus due to viral interference. In this sense, more data about the possible interactions among the flaviviruses that circulates in Spain (MMV, SOcFV, SCxFV, WNV, and USUV) (Vázquez et al 2010(Vázquez et al , 2011 would be highly interesting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Flaviviruses Detected in Different Species of Mosquitoes in Spain

Vázquez

Sánchez-Seco

Palacios

et al. 2012

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

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We report the characterization of three novel flaviviruses isolated in Spain. Marisma Mosquito virus, a novel mosquito borne virus, was isolated from Ochlerotatus caspius mosquitoes; Spanish Ochlerotatus flavivirus and Spanish Culex flavivirus, two novel insect flaviviruses, were isolated from Oc. caspius and Culex pipiens, respectively. During this investigation, we designed a sensitive RT-nested polymerase chain reaction method that amplifies a 1019bp fragment of the flavivirus NS5 gene and could be directly used in clinical or environmental samples for flavivirus characterization and surveillance. Analysis of the sequence generated from that amplicon contains enough phylogenetic information for proper taxonomic studies. Moreover, the use of this tool allowed the detection of additional flavivirus DNA forms in Culex, Culiseta, and Ochlerotatus mosquitoes.

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“…To specifically determine the genetic relationship of USUV strains circulating in Spain, an alignment of a partial NS5 protein coding region was also generated, in which the nucleotide sequences of USUV strains detected in Cx. perexiguus in Spain in 2009 (Vázquez et al 2011) and in two song thrushes (T. philomelos) in Spain in 2012 (Höfle et al 2013) were included. Accession numbers are listed in Table 2.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Spain, the virus was subsequently detected in Cx. perexiguus in 2009 (Vázquez et al 2011), and in two sick song thrushes (Turdus philomelos) in 2012 in southern Spain (Höfle et al 2013). Phylogenetic comparisons of the Spanish strains, however, indicated significant differences between USUVs of mosquito and bird origin (Höfle et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Complete Genome Sequences of Usutu Virus Strains Detected in Spain, Central Europe, and Africa

Bakonyi

Busquets

Nowotny

2014

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

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The complete genomic sequence of Usutu virus (USUV, genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae) strain MB119/ 06, detected in a pool of Culex pipiens mosquitoes in northeastern Spain (Viladecans, Catalonia) in 2006, was determined and analyzed. The phylogenetic relationship with all other available complete USUV genome sequences was established. The Spanish sequence investigated showed the closest relationship to the USUV prototype strain SA AR 1776 isolated in South Africa in 1959 (96.9% nucleotide and 98.8% amino acid identities). Conserved structural elements and enzyme motifs of the putative polyprotein precursor were identified. Unique amino acid substitutions were recognized; however, their potential roles as virulence markers could not be verified. Comparisons of the polyprotein precursor sequences of USUV strains detected in mosquitoes, birds, and humans could not confirm the predicted role of unique amino acid substitutions in relation to virulence in humans. Phylogenetic analysis of a partial coding section of the NS5 protein gene region indicated that USUV strains circulating in Europe form three different genetic clusters. Broad and targeted surveys for USUV in mosquitoes could reveal further details of the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of the virus in Europe and in Africa.

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West Nile and Usutu Viruses in Mosquitoes in Spain, 2008–2009

Cited by 109 publications

References 12 publications

Evaluation of a West Nile virus surveillance and early warning system in Greece, based on domestic pigeons

Evaluation of a West Nile virus surveillance and early warning system in Greece, based on domestic pigeons

Novel Flaviviruses Detected in Different Species of Mosquitoes in Spain

Comparison of Complete Genome Sequences of Usutu Virus Strains Detected in Spain, Central Europe, and Africa

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