Article
Biology
Meredith E. Kernbach, Lynn B. Martin, Thomas R. Unnasch, Richard J. Hall, Rays H. Y. Jiang, Clinton D. Francis
Summary: The study suggests that anthropogenic changes, such as artificial night light, may have a greater impact on infectious diseases than previously thought, especially in the spread of emerging diseases. Modeling results show a nonlinear relationship between ALAN and WNV exposure risk in chickens, with peak risk occurring at low ALAN levels. Further research on the effects of ALAN on other vector-borne parasites is warranted.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sanam Sewgobind, Fiona McCracken, Mirjam Schilling
Summary: West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus that infects humans, horses, and other mammals through mosquito bites. It causes a range of clinical symptoms, from mild fever to severe encephalitis and morbidity. Although there are no licensed vaccines for human use, commercially available vaccines are available for horses in certain regions.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Elisa Mancuso, Jacopo Giuseppe Cecere, Federica Iapaolo, Annapia Di Gennaro, Massimo Sacchi, Giovanni Savini, Fernando Spina, Federica Monaco
Summary: In this study, the potential role of migratory birds in spreading West Nile Virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) from Africa and Central Europe to Mediterranean areas was investigated. Molecular and serological surveys were conducted on migrating birds sampled in Italy, revealing the presence of WNV and USUV RNA as well as neutralizing antibodies against these viruses. This highlights the importance of active surveillance of zoonotic viruses in order to better understand their transmission patterns.
Article
Immunology
Jordi Figuerola, Miguel angel Jimenez-Clavero, Maria Jose Ruiz-Lopez, Francisco Llorente, Santiago Ruiz, Andreas Hoefer, Pilar Aguilera-Sepulveda, Jessica Jimenez-Penuela, Olaya Garcia-Ruiz, Laura Herrero, Ramon C. Soriguer, Raul Fernandez Delgado, Maria Paz Sanchez-Seco, Josue Martinez-de la Puente, Ana Vazquez
Summary: Reports of West Nile virus (WNV) associated disease in humans were scarce in Spain until summer 2020 but recently there has been a significant increase in cases. The increase in human cases was preceded by a large increase in the abundance of Culex perexiguus mosquitoes in the affected areas. The first batch of WNV-infected mosquitoes was captured one month before the detection of the first human cases. Additionally, serological tests in wild birds confirmed the circulation of WNV in the affected areas, suggesting that blackbirds played an important role in the urban transmission of the virus.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jose-Maria Garcia-Carrasco, Antonio-Roman Munoz, Jesus Olivero, Marina Segura, Raimundo Real
Summary: This study created a database of WNV presence in Africa and used biogeographic models to determine the drivers of its distribution. Wetlands and human-related factors were found to play important roles in the spread of WNV. Understanding high-risk areas can help manage the disease and comprehend its transmission through avian migration routes outside Africa.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Duan Ni, Jian Tan, Paula Niewold, Alanna Gabrielle Spiteri, Gabriela Veronica Pinget, Dragana Stanley, Nicholas Jonathan Cole King, Laurence Macia
Summary: Although dietary fiber can promote healthy gut bacteria, it does not have a significant effect on WNV encephalitis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Alicia Macias, Paloma Martin, Mayte Perez-Olmeda, Beatriz Fernandez-Martinez, Diana Gomez-Barroso, Esperanza Fernandez, Julian Mauro Ramos, Laura Herrero, Saray Rodriguez, Elena Delgado, Maria Paz Sanchez-Seco, Miguel Galan, Antonio Jesus Corbacho, Manuel Jimenez, Cristian Montero-Pena, Antonio Valle, Ana Vazquez
Summary: The largest human West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak in Spain in 2020 occurred in Extremadura, with six reported cases. This study focuses on the clinical aspects, diagnostic results, and control actions of the first WNV human outbreak in Extremadura. Molecular and serological methods are recommended for WNV detection and differential diagnosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jose-Maria Garcia-Carrasco, Antonio-Roman Munoz, Raimundo Real
Summary: Human infections of West Nile virus are on the rise, with a considerable spread in Europe over the past decade. High incidence of the disease was seen between 2018 and 2020. A model predicts outbreak-prone areas for the virus in 2021, including new favorable areas in Central Europe.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yifei Duan, Jinlan He, Yali Cui, Wensheng Li, Yongmei Jiang
Summary: In west China, respiratory viruses influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were found to be the most common among young children with acute respiratory tract infection, showing pronounced seasonality. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, isolation measures led to a decline in the number of ARTI cases.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pauline Dianne Santos, Friederike Michel, Claudia Wylezich, Dirk Hoper, Markus Keller, Cora M. Holicki, Claudia A. Szentiks, Martin Eiden, Aemero Muluneh, Antonie Neubauer-Juric, Sabine Thalheim, Anja Globig, Martin Beer, Martin H. Groschup, Ute Ziegler
Summary: The emergence of WNV and USUV in Europe caused significant outbreaks leading to avifauna mortality and human infections. In Germany, a bird surveillance network was established to monitor these zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses. Co-infections of WNV and USUV were detected in dead birds, with WNV strains classified as lineage 2 and USUV strains as lineages Africa 2, Africa 3, and Europe 2. Further reports of co-infections in animals and humans are expected in the future.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zia Farooq, Henrik Sjodin, Jan C. Semenza, Yesim Tozan, Maquines Odhiambo Sewe, Jonas Wallin, Joacim Rocklov
Summary: West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease that has become a public health concern in Europe. Recent outbreaks are attributed to favorable climatic conditions for its vectors. However, there is currently a lack of projections on WNV expansion risk under climate change scenarios. In this study, we estimate WNV outbreak risk under different climate and socioeconomic scenarios. Our results show that Europe could experience a 5-fold increase in WNV risk by 2040-2060, with Western Europe facing the highest increase. This increased risk will require targeted public health responses to manage WNV expansion with climate change in Europe.
Article
Immunology
Elizabeth Geerling, E. Taylor Stone, Tara L. Steffen, Mariah Hassert, James D. Brien, Amelia K. Pinto
Summary: Rising obesity rates worldwide have become a significant health concern, with obese individuals at higher risk for severe viral diseases. Research shows that obesity can lead to immune dysfunction, impacting the severity of viral infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Stefanie Ganzenberg, Michael Sieg, Ute Ziegler, Martin Pfeffer, Thomas W. Vahlenkamp, Uwe Hoeruegel, Martin H. Groschup, Katharina L. Lohmann
Summary: This study determined the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) in horses in nine counties in Eastern Germany and estimated the risk factors for seropositivity. The results showed that the seroprevalence of WNV infection was significantly higher in counties with previously registered equine WNV infections. Breed type (pony), housing in counties with previously registered infections, housing type (24 h turn-out), and presence of outdoor shelter were identified as the main significant risk factors for seropositivity.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Philip Ball
Summary: Researchers around the world warn that easing restrictions during a surge in infections could lead to the emergence of new variants and pose risks to the health of unvaccinated individuals.
Article
Virology
Alex W. Wessel, Kimberly A. Dowd, Scott B. Biering, Ping Zhang, Melissa A. Edeling, Christopher A. Nelson, Kristen E. Funk, Christina R. DeMaso, Robyn S. Klein, Janet L. Smith, Thu Minh Cao, Richard J. Kuhn, Daved H. Fremont, Eva Harris, Theodore C. Pierson, Michael S. Diamond
Summary: This study compared the roles of Flavivirus NS1 proteins in the pathogenesis of Dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile virus (WNV), and found that a specific P101K mutation in WNV NS1 led to reduced infectivity in the brain and lethality in mice. The study suggests that levels of NS1 in the circulation facilitate WNV dissemination to the brain and impact disease outcomes.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Federica Di Giacinto, Ludovica Di Renzo, Giuseppina Mascilongo, Valentina Notarstefano, Giorgia Gioacchini, Elisabetta Giorgini, Tanja Bogdanovic, Sandra Petricevic, Eddy Listes, Mia Brkljaca, Federica Conti, Chiara Profico, Barbara Zambuchini, Gabriella Di Francesco, Carla Giansante, Gianfranco Diletti, Nicola Ferri, Miriam Berti
Summary: The Mediterranean Sea faces a significant threat from microplastics, polymers, and additives. These contaminants can be consumed by fish and accumulate in their tissues. This study measured the levels of microplastics (MPs), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), bisphenol A (BPA), and p-phthalic acid (PTA) in the edible muscles of swordfish and bluefin tuna caught in the Mediterranean Sea. Analysis revealed that both species had similar levels of plastic contamination, although the shapes, colors, pigments, and polymers of the microplastics differed.
JOURNAL OF SEA RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lucija Jurisic, Daniela Malatesta, Guendalina Zaccaria, Giovanni Di Teodoro, Barbara Bonfini, Fabrizia Valleriani, Liana Teodori, Francesco Bencivenga, Alessandra Leone, Paola Ripa, Vincenzo 'Innocenzo, Emanuela Rossi, Alessio Lorusso
Summary: West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV), two related flaviviruses, can cause severe neurological disease in animals and humans. The immune response and immunopathogenesis of these viruses are poorly understood. In this study, mice primed with low doses of USUV showed protection against lethal challenges of WNV, even without detectable neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, mice immunized with a chimeric virus containing USUV's E protein were also protected against WNV. These findings contribute to understanding the interaction dynamics during sequential infections of these flaviviruses.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Giulia Mencattelli, Andrea Silverj, Federica Iapaolo, Carla Ippoliti, Liana Teodori, Annapia Di Gennaro, Valentina Curini, Luca Candeloro, Annamaria Conte, Andrea Polci, Daniela Morelli, Maria Gabriella Perrotta, Giovanni Marini, Roberto Rosa, Federica Monaco, Nicola Segata, Annapaola Rizzoli, Omar Rota-Stabelli, Giovanni Savini
Summary: This paper provides an overview of the epidemiological and genetic features of West Nile virus (WNV) Lineage 2 (L2) in Italy. The study reveals a progressive increase in WNV L2 in Italy and predicts a wider spread in the future. The findings emphasize the importance of using quantitative models for early warning detection of WNV outbreaks.
Article
Virology
Angela Maria Rocchigiani, Luca Ferretti, Alice Ledda, Antonello Di Nardo, Matteo Floris, Piero Bonelli, Federica Loi, Maria Laura Idda, Pier Paolo Angioi, Susanna Zinellu, Mariangela Stefania Fiori, Roberto Bechere, Paola Capitta, Annamaria Coccollone, Elisabetta Coradduzza, Maria Antonietta Dettori, Maria Caterina Fattaccio, Elena Gallisai, Caterina Maestrale, Daniela Manunta, Aureliana Pedditzi, Ivana Piredda, Bruna Palmas, Sara Salza, Anna Maria Sechi, Barbara Tanda, Maria Paola Madrau, Maria Luisa Sanna, Simonetta Cherchi, Nicoletta Ponti, Giovanna Masala, Roberto Sirica, Eloisa Evangelista, Annalisa Oggiano, Giantonella Puggioni, Ciriaco Ligios, Silvia Dei Giudici
Summary: Understanding the impact of geography and human mobility on the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 is crucial for controlling future epidemics. The second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Europe was facilitated by the movement of tourists around the Mediterranean coast in summer 2020. The Italian island of Sardinia, a popular tourist destination, is believed to be the origin of the second wave. Genetic analysis reveals that most virus strains circulating in northern Sardinia during both waves were part of a single clade, suggesting limited spread despite high virus inflow.
Article
Virology
Moussa Moise Diagne, Marie Henriette Dior Ndione, Giulia Mencattelli, Amadou Diallo, El Hadji Ndiaye, Marco Di Domenico, Diawo Diallo, Mouhamed Kane, Valentina Curini, Ndeye Marieme Top, Maurilia Marcacci, Maimouna Mbanne, Massimo Ancora, Barbara Secondini, Valeria Di Lollo, Liana Teodori, Alessandra Leone, Ilaria Puglia, Alioune Gaye, Amadou Alpha Sall, Cheikh Loucoubar, Roberto Rosa, Mawlouth Diallo, Federica Monaco, Ousmane Faye, Cesare Camma, Annapaola Rizzoli, Giovanni Savini, Oumar Faye
Summary: This study developed and validated a new amplicon-based sequencing approach for West Nile virus, which can effectively control the diffusion of different lineages. It has great potential for genomic surveillance of the virus.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Paolo Calistri, Harsharn Gill, Alessio Lorusso
Article
Infectious Diseases
Umberto Molini, Giovanni Franzo, Barbara Bonfini, Lourens de Villiers, Mari de Villiers, Siegfried Khaiseb, Federica Monaco, Giovanni Savini, Nicola D'Alterio
Summary: West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic Flavivirus that can cause mild to severe neurological disease in humans and horses. In Namibia, limited investigations and monitoring activities of WNV have been performed. A serosurvey of domestic dogs in Namibia revealed a relatively high ELISA prevalence (16.43%), but the virus neutralization test confirmed a much lower prevalence (2.82%). This suggests limited usefulness of dogs as sentinels for WNV monitoring in Namibia.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lourens de Villiers, Umberto Molini, Lauren M. Coetzee, Leandra Visser, Jani Spangenberg, Mari de Villiers, Shadia Berjaoui, Siegfried Khaiseb, Alessio Lorusso, Giovanni Franzo
Summary: In this study, CanineCV presence and genetic features were investigated in domestic dogs and wild jackals in Africa. The results showed a high prevalence of CanineCV in both populations, as well as evidence of strain exchange between them. However, due to limitations in the host populations, conclusions regarding host adaptation and clinical features could not be definitive. Further studies are needed to expand our knowledge of CanineCV in Namibia, other African regions, and associated host species in Africa.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ottavio Portanti, Sarah Thabet, Elena Abenza, Eugenia Ciarrocchi, Maura Pisciella, Roberta Irelli, Giovanni Savini, Salah Hammami, Simone Pulsoni, Claudia Casaccia, Lauren Coetzee, Maurilia Marcacci, Marco Di Domenico, Alessio Lorusso
Summary: Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is a Culicoides-transmitted virus with multiple serotypes. A novel serotype 8 strain (EHDV-8) of Northern African origin has recently been discovered in cattle in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, causing concern in the European Union. Current molecular typing methods are unable to detect this novel EHDV-8 strain, so a new typing assay was developed and validated to detect and quantify the novel EHDV-8 RNA from field samples.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Elisa Mancuso, Marco Di Domenico, Luigina Di Gialleonardo, Michela Menegon, Luciano Toma, Marco Di Luca, Francesca Casale, Guido Di Donato, Laura D'Onofrio, Angela De Rosa, Sara Riello, Andrea Ferri, Lorenzo Serra, Federica Monaco
Summary: The role of migratory birds in spreading ticks and tick-borne pathogens from Africa to Europe is becoming more evident. A study was conducted to assess the introduction of exotic ticks carried by migratory birds into Italy, as well as to detect the presence of Rickettsia species and Coxiella burnetii they may harbor. The findings confirm the role of migratory birds in the spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens, highlighting the need for continuous surveillance to monitor the potential emergence of new diseases in Europe.
Article
Microbiology
Raffaella Maggi, Livia De Paolis, Daria De Santis, Valerio Gaetano Vellone, Chiara Grazia De Ciucis, Floriana Fruscione, Katia Mazzocco, Alessandro Ghelardi, Giuseppe Marruchella, Elisabetta Razzuoli
Summary: In this paper, the authors describe the clinical and pathological features of a congenital papilloma observed in a foal, and demonstrate the presence of BPV1 infection using biomolecular tests. These findings, along with the absence of PV infection in previous cases, highlight the need for further investigations to understand the etiology of equine congenital papilloma and the potential clinical relevance of BPV1 vertical transmission in horses.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Alfonso Rosamilia, Giorgio Galletti, Stefano Benedetti, Chiara Guarnieri, Andrea Luppi, Stefano Capezzuto, Marco Tamba, Giuseppe Merialdi, Giuseppe Marruchella
Summary: The present study reported the data of porcine carcass condemnation in an Italian high-throughput slaughterhouse over 2 years. A total of 2,062,278 pigs were slaughtered during the study period. The most common reasons for condemnation were severe and diffuse peritonitis, disseminated abscesses, slaughter chain faults, and erysipelas.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Paola Stratico, Jasmine Hattab, Giulia Guerri, Augusto Carluccio, Lorenza Bandera, Gianluca Celani, Giuseppe Marruchella, Vincenzo Varasano, Lucio Petrizzi
Summary: Behavioral problems in horses, especially related to estrus, are common and difficult to diagnose and treat. This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of horses that underwent laparoscopic ovariectomy for unwanted behavior. The findings showed that behavioral improvement was reported by most owners after surgery, with a high incidence of granulosa cell tumors in the removed ovaries.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Alessio Lorusso, Stefano Cappai, Federica Loi, Luigia Pinna, Angelo Ruiu, Giantonella Puggioni, Annalisa Guercio, Giuseppa Purpari, Domenico Vicari, Soufien Sghaier, Stephan Zientara, Massimo Spedicato, Salah Hammami, Thameur Ben Hassine, Ottavio Portanti, Emmanuel Breard, Corinne Sailleu, Massimo Ancora, Daria Di Sabatino, Daniela Morelli, Paolo Calistri, Giovanni Savini
Summary: The detection of EHDV serotype 8, with an identical genome to strains found in Tunisia in 2021, was reported in cattle farms in Sar-dinia and Sicily in October-November 2022.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
