Topic 46 - West nile fever, disease caused by Usutu virus and other mosquito-borne flaviviral diseases Flashcards
Definition of West Nile fever:
A mosquito-transmitted, zoonotic disease with fever, general signs and sometimes meningo-encephalomyelitis and death for both animals and humans
Occurence of West Nile fever:
Worldwide
Where was the first isolation of West Nile fever ever found?
In Uganda, hence the name
First occurence of West Nile fever in Europe, when and where?
1960
France, Russia, Spain and Romania
First occurence of West Nile fever in USA:
1999
Maintaining host of West Nile fever:
Wild birds: goose, crow, pigeon
All birds are susceptible, but not all are maintaining hosts
Is there a cross-reaction between flavviviruses, and why?
Yes there is. They are all closely related, both genetically and antigenetically
West Nile fever is part of a serocomplex, what is it called and why is West Nile fever in it?
Japanese encephaitis serocomplex
In this complex we find several viruses that are antigenetically related, including West Nile fever
How many genetic lineages have West Nile fever?
9
But only two are pathogenic: Lineage 1 + 2 strains
Occurrence of lineage 1 strain of West Nile fever:
Worldwide
Occurrence of lineage 2 of West Nile fever:
Europe and Africa, all cases of Hungary since 2004
Host cycle of West Nile fever:
Wild birds - Mosquitos - Human and horses
If a bird becomes infected late/end of mosquito season, why could this be of importance of West Nile fever?
The viramia last for 20-100 days = 3 months prox
So if a bird is infected at the end of the season, they bird is infected for the whole winter and the bird is then the source of infection for the mosquitos the next season
Vector of West Nile fever:
Mosquito
Detected in more than 60 species
Principle vector of West Nile fever:
Culex pipiens
They are a breach vector, biological vector and transovarial transmission
What is a breach vector?
A vector feeding on two hosts, in West Nile fever case: Bird and mammals. They transport the virus for from birds to humans or mammals
Dead-end host of West Nile fever:
Humans
Horses
Pathogenesis of West Nile fever:
Infection –> multiplication –> Viraemia –> targets the brain –> inflammation of the brain
after infection we have a primary replication causing rash and skin lesions, then we have viraemia and the brain is targeted. The virus tarhets the neuron cells and replicates there and we see inflammation of the brain
Primary replication site of West Nile fever:
Endothel cells
In case of inflammation of the brain of West Nile fever, what can we see?
- Serous-lymphoid cell infiltration
- Neuron cell degeneration
- Inflammation of the peripheric nerves
How long after infection of West Nile fever does antibodies occur?
7-11 days
Is there a persisting infection of West Nile fever?
In mammals: rarely
In birds: frequent
susceptibility of West Nile fever:
Horse
Sheep
Dog and Cat
Geese
Wild birds
Clinical signs in horses infected with West Nile fever:
Mostly subclinical!!
If we see: mild clinical signs
1. anorexia
2. fever
3. depression
Are most characteristic
In less than 1% we see CNS signs
How many of the West Nile fever infected horses have a subclinical infection?
80-90%
CNS signs in West Nile fever:
- skin oversensitivity
- weakness of the hindlims (strange movement, strange walk)
- Teeth grinding
- convulsions
- Partial parlysis
Lethality rate of West Nile fever:
9-90%
If CNS problems are seen = 100%
Clinical signs in sheep infected with West Nile fever
1.Teeth grinding
2. Ataxia
3. Movement problems
All CNS problems
Clinical signs in dogs and cats infected with West Nile fever
they have asymptomatic seroconversion
We rarely see fever and CNS signs
Age susceptibility of geese infected with West Nile fever:
3-12 weeks of age
Clinical signs in geese infected with West Nile fever:
- Abnormal head position
- Wing parslysis
- Ruffled feathers
- Ataxia
Lethality in geese infected with West Nile fever:
14-40 %
Susceptible wild birds of West Nile fever:
Stork
Birds of prey
Crow
Magpie
Sparrow
Seagull
Blackbird
Penguin
Name wild birds that are sensitive to West Nile fever, and what does it mean that they are sensitive?
Crow, birds of prey, goose
They might die from the infection
Name wild birds that are not so sensitive to West Nile fever, and what does it mean that they are not so sensitive?
Stork, pigeon
They can fly bigger distances with the virus
Clinical signs of wild birds infected with West Nile fever:
Most of them are asymptomatic, but some might die from the infection
Outcome of asymptomatic infection of West Nile fever in wild birds:
asymptomatic seroconversion
Outcome if the wild bird is showing clinical signs in case of West Nile fever, and which clinical signs do they show?
Sudden death
They show:
1. Seizures
2. Ataxia
3. Paralysis
Pathological lesions in case of West Nile fever:
Seen in birds and horses, not very obvious signs
fluid accumulation in the epicardium
Histopathological lesions in case of West Nile fever:
Much more obvious, also seen in birds and horses
- Inflammation in the brain
- Haemorrhages
- Neuron cell degeneration
- Glia cell proliferations
- serous-cellular infiltration of myocardium
- Cell degeneration and apoptosis of myocardium
How to diagnose West Nile fever:
- Clinical signs
- Lab tests
- Pathological + histopathological
Differential diagnosis of West Nile fever:
Febrile illnesses with CNS signs
- Rabies
- Toxicosis
How can we differentiate West Nile fever from other diseases:
- It is seasonal
- CNS signs - ALWAYS notify incase it could be West Nile fever
Laboratory diagnosis of West Nile fever:
We can do:
1. RT-PCR
2. Virus isolation
3. Immunochemistry
4. Serology
But these are not very good, and mostly done if there is enough time - as in research
Laboratory work to diagnose West Nile fever:
In acute cases we do blood work and do RT-PCR, but we cannot really detect the virus from the blood, so we do coagluated blood instead and detect IgM
Why can we detect IgM in the blood after West Nile fever infection, or any other infection?
After infection IgM are produced immediately, so in acute phases IgM can be seen in the blood
Why can also detecting IgM be a problem in case of West Nile fever?
IgM detection ca be negative, if the animal previously have been vaccinated - but not properly to protect from infection
We can detect IgG instead if IgM in this case, which can be seen in the blood
Prevention and control for West Nile fever:
- Mosquito control
- Use of repellents against mosquito
- Vaccinations, but only for horses
Vaccination type in case of West Nile fever:
Recombinant inactivated vaccine
2x basic immunisation, then yearly BEFORE mosquito
Public health aspects of West Nile fever:
ZOONOTIC!!
- Usually asymptomatic, but in some cases humans show clinical signs and even CNS problems
- No vaccine available
Clinical signs of humans in case of West Nile fever:
- Fever
- Discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- swelling of lymph nodes
Lethality of humans in case of West Nile fever:
Recovery in 3-6 days
Susceptibility of more severe signs of West Nile fever:
Humans over the age of 60, usually with other diseases in the background such as: diabetes, blood pressure etc. The virus crosses the blood-brain-barrier and we see CNS problems
Clinical signs in more severe cases in humans for West Nile fever:
- Coma
- Convulsions
- Paralysis
- disorientation
- muscle weakness
Recovery from severe signs of West Nile fever:
Can recover, but permanent damages may remain, such as: weakness of the limbs, milder dementia
Name other mosquito-borne flaviviruses that causes infection:
- Japanese encephalitis
- St.Louis encephalitis
- Murray-valley encephalitis
- Wesselsbron disease
- Turkey meningoencephalitis
- Usutu
- Duck egg-drop syndrome
- Dengue fever
- Yellow fever
- Zika virus infection
Occurece of Japanese encephalitis
Asian countries: Japan, Korea
Susceptible species of Japanese encephalitis:
horse, swine, other mammals and birds
Reservoir host of Japanese encephalitis:
swine + water birds
Occurence of St.Louis encephalitis:
America
Susceptible species of St.Louis encephalitis:
Horse, human, bird
Reservoir host of St.Louis encephalitis:
wild birds
Occurence of Murray-valley encephalitis:
Australia, NEw-guinea
Susceptible species of Murray-valley encephalitis:
humans, children more than adults
mammals
Reservoir of Murray-valley encephalitis:
wild birds
Occurence of Wesselsbron disease:
Sub-saharan Africa
Susceptibility of Wesselsbron disease:
Sheeo
Other mammals
humans - Subclinical
Occurence of Turkey meningoencephalitits
Isreal
South Africa
Turkey
Clinical signs of Turkey meningoencephalitits:
- CNS signs
- Reduced egg production
- Mortality increased
Attenuated vaccine in endemic countries
Occurence of Usutu?
Africa and central-Europe
Susceptibility of Usutu:
Wild birds
Horses
Humans - ZOONOTIC
Occurence of duck egg-drop syndrome
China
Occurence of dengue fever
World wide
Susceptible species of dengue fever:
humans
Mokeys too, and they are also reservoir host
How many types of dengue fever is there?
4
First we get infected with the 1st type, then the 2nd, then the 3rd and if we get infected for a 4th time it is most severe
Clinical signs of the 4 types of dengue fever:
1: antibody-dependendt enhancement
2: Dengue-fever
3. Dengue haemorrhagic fever
4. Dengue shock syndrom - can lead to death
Occurence of yellow fever:
Worldwide
Why the name yellow fever?
Causes liver damage - yellow discoloration of the skin
Vaccination from yellow fever?
yes, necessary before travel to endemic areas
Occurence of Zika virus:
Africa
Reservoir host of Zika virus:
Monkeys
Susceptible species of Zika virus:
Humans
Transmission route of Zika virus:
Mosquitos