Serologic evidence of West Nile virus exposure in North American mesopredators

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2007 Jan;76(1):173-9.

Abstract

Sera from 936 mammalian mesopredators (Virginia opossums, gray foxes, striped skunks, hooded skunks, raccoons, a bobcat, and a red fox) were collected during 2003 and 2004 in California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Wyoming and screened for flavivirus-specific antibodies by an epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (blocking ELISA). Serum samples positive for antibodies against flaviviruses were screened for West Nile virus (WNV)-specific antibodies by blocking ELISA and selectively confirmed with plaque-reduction neutralization tests. High prevalence rates were observed in raccoons (45.6%) and striped skunks (62.9%). The high WNV antibody prevalence noted in mesopredators, their peridomestic tendencies, and their overall pervasiveness make these species potentially useful sentinels for monitoring flaviviruses in defined areas.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Mammals / immunology
  • Mammals / virology*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Viral Plaque Assay
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
  • West Nile Fever / immunology
  • West Nile Fever / veterinary
  • West Nile virus / immunology
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral