Serological evidence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mammalian species in Turkey

Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Aug;134(4):826-9. doi: 10.1017/S0950268805005492. Epub 2005 Nov 29.

Abstract

In this study, the sera collected from a variety of mammalian species (ass-mules, cat, cattle, dog, horse, human and sheep) in 10 representative provinces of Turkey, were surveyed for the presence of neutralizing antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV). Overall, 1 of 40 (2.5%) ass-mules, 4 of 100 (4%) cattle, 43 of 114 (37.7%) dogs, 35 of 259 (13.5%) horses, 18 of 88 (20.4%) humans and 1 of 100 (1%) sheep, tested positive for WNV-neutralizing antibodies. The results indicate that a wide range of mammals are exposed to a West Nile-related virus and this could contribute to the long-term survival of this virus in the absence of overt disease.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / virology*
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Cats / virology
  • Cattle / virology
  • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary
  • Dogs / virology
  • Equidae / virology
  • Humans
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sheep / virology
  • Turkey
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral