West Nile Virus Monitoring of Migratory and Resident Birds in Germany

Seidowski, Diana; Ziegler, Ute; Rönn, Jan A. C. von; Müller, Kerstin; Hüppop, Kathrin; Müller, Thomas; Freuling, Conrad Martin; Mühle, Ralf Udo; Nowotny, Norbert; Ulrich, Rainer G.; Niedrig, Matthias; Groschup, Martin H.

doi:10.1089/vbz.2009.0236

Cited by 63 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Neutralizing antibodies against USUV were also demonstrated in birds from the United Kingdom [5]. In contrast, no serological evidence for USUV circulation was found in birds from Germany between 2007 and 2011 [6], [7]. In 2009, two human cases with an USUV-related neuroinvasive illness were reported from Italy [8], [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epizootic Emergence of Usutu Virus in Wild and Captive Birds in Germany

et al. 2012

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This study aimed to identify the causative agent of mass mortality in wild and captive birds in southwest Germany and to gather insights into the phylogenetic relationship and spatial distribution of the pathogen. Since June 2011, 223 dead birds were collected and tested for the presence of viral pathogens. Usutu virus (USUV) RNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR in 86 birds representing 6 species. The virus was isolated in cell culture from the heart of 18 Blackbirds (Turdus merula). USUV-specific antigen was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in brain, heart, liver, and lung of infected Blackbirds. The complete polyprotein coding sequence was obtained by deep sequencing of liver and spleen samples of a dead Blackbird from Mannheim (BH65/11-02-03). Phylogenetic analysis of the German USUV strain BH65/11-02-03 revealed a close relationship with strain Vienna that caused mass mortality among birds in Austria in 2001. Wild birds from lowland river valleys in southwest Germany were mainly affected by USUV, but also birds kept in aviaries. Our data suggest that after the initial detection of USUV in German mosquitoes in 2010, the virus spread in 2011 and caused epizootics among wild and captive birds in southwest Germany. The data also indicate an increased risk of USUV infections in humans in Germany.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epizootic Emergence of Usutu Virus in Wild and Captive Birds in Germany

et al. 2012

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“…Barn swallows were the most utilised avian host overall in this study (n = 95) (Table 3). Members of this species are long-distance migrants which over-winter in southern Africa and have been identified as having been exposed to WNV in Germany [52]. Indeed, several birds identified as blood meal hosts in this study are highly susceptible to infection with arboviruses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…However, their possible role in the long-distance translocation of arboviruses such as WNV from endemic regions has been extensively discussed [49–51], and they are targeted as part of arbovirus surveillance programmes across Europe [28, 52]. Barn swallows were the most utilised avian host overall in this study (n = 95) (Table 3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood-feeding patterns of native mosquitoes and insights into their potential role as pathogen vectors in the Thames estuary region of the United Kingdom

et al. 2017

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BackgroundThe range of vertebrate hosts on which species of mosquito blood-feed is an important parameter for identifying potential vectors and in assessing the risk of incursion and establishment of vector-borne pathogens. In the United Kingdom, studies of mosquito host range have collected relatively few specimens and used techniques that could only broadly identify host species. This study conducted intensive collection and analysis of mosquitoes from a grazing marsh environment in southeast England. This site provides extensive wetland habitat for resident and migratory birds and has abundant human nuisance biting mosquitoes. The aim was to identify the blood-feeding patterns of mosquito species present at the site which could contribute to the transmission of pathogens.MethodsTwice-weekly collections of mosquitoes were made from Elmley Nature Reserve, Kent, between June and October 2014. Mosquitoes were collected using resting boxes, by aspiration from man-made structures and using a Mosquito Magnet Pro baited with 1-octen-3-ol. Blood-fed specimens were classified according to the degree of blood meal digestion using the Sella scale and vertebrate origin determined using sequencing of a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene. Mosquitoes that were morphologically cryptic were identified to species level using multiplex PCR and sequencing methods.ResultsA total of 20,666 mosquitoes of 11 species were collected, and 2,159 (10.4%) were blood-fed (Sella scale II-VI); of these 1,341 blood-fed specimens were selected for blood meal analysis. Vertebrate origin was successfully identified in 964 specimens (72%). Collections of blood-fed individuals were dominated by Anopheles maculipennis complex (73.5%), Culiseta annulata (21.2%) and Culex pipiens form pipiens (10.4%). Nineteen vertebrate hosts comprising five mammals and 14 birds were identified as hosts for mosquitoes, including two migratory bird species. Feeding on birds by Culex modestus and Anopheles atroparvus populations in England was demonstrated.ConclusionsThis study expands the vertebrate host range of mosquitoes in the Thames estuary region of the UK. Feeding on both resident and migratory bird species by potential arbovirus vectors including Cx. pipiens f. pipiens and Cx. modestus indicates the potential for enzootic transmission of an introduced arbovirus between migratory and local bird species by native mosquito species.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2098-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Neutralizing WNV antibody titers were determined by VNT on Vero cells as published previously [33] using 1:10, 1:20, 1:40 etc. dilutions (in MEM) and homologous challenge virus (100 TCID 50 of WNV lineage 1 NY99, GenBank accession no.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Limited efficacy of West Nile virus vaccines in large falcons (Falco spp.)

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et al. 2014

Vet Res

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West Nile virus (WNV) can lead to fatal diseases in raptor species. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine which has been designed specifically for use in breeding stocks of falcons. Therefore the immunogenicity and protective capacity of two commercially available WNV vaccines, both approved for use in horses, were evaluated in large falcons. One vaccine contained adjuvanted inactivated WNV lineage 1 immunogens, while the second represented a canarypox recombinant live virus vector vaccine. The efficacy of different vaccination regimes for these two vaccines was assessed serologically and by challenging the falcons with a WNV strain of homologous lineage 1. Our studies show that the recombinant vaccine conveys a slightly better protection than the inactivated vaccine, but moderate (recombinant vaccine) or weak (inactivated vaccine) side effects were observed at the injection sites. Using the recommended 2-dose regimen, both vaccines elicited only sub-optimal antibody responses and gave only partial protection following WNV challenge. Better results were obtained for both vaccines after a third dose, i.e. alleviation of clinical signs, absence of fatalities and reduction of virus shedding and viraemia. Therefore the consequences of WNV infections in falcons can be clearly alleviated by vaccination, especially if the amended triple administration scheme is used, although side effects at the vaccination site must be accepted.

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West Nile Virus Monitoring of Migratory and Resident Birds in Germany

Cited by 63 publications

References 66 publications

Epizootic Emergence of Usutu Virus in Wild and Captive Birds in Germany

Epizootic Emergence of Usutu Virus in Wild and Captive Birds in Germany

Blood-feeding patterns of native mosquitoes and insights into their potential role as pathogen vectors in the Thames estuary region of the United Kingdom

Limited efficacy of West Nile virus vaccines in large falcons (Falco spp.)

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