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Arthropod-borne Batai virus (BATV) is an Orthobunyavirus widely distributed throughout European livestock and has, in the past, been linked to febrile diseases in humans. In Germany, BATV was found in mosquitoes and in one captive harbor seal, and antibodies were recently detected in various ruminant species. We have, therefore, conducted a follow-up study in ruminants from Saxony-Anhalt, the most affected region in Eastern Germany. A total of 325 blood samples from apparently healthy sheep, goats, and cattle were tested using a BATV-specific qRT-PCR and SNT. Even though viral RNA was not detected, the presence of antibodies was confirmed in the sera of all three species: sheep (16.5%), goats (18.3%), and cattle (41.4%). Sera were further analyzed by a glycoprotein Gc-based indirect ELISA to evaluate Gc-derived antibodies as a basis for a new serological test for BATV infections. Interestingly, the presence of neutralizing antibodies was not directly linked to the presence of BATV Gc antibodies. Overall, our results illustrate the high frequency of BATV infections in ruminants in Eastern Germany.
Nicole Cichon; Martin Eiden; Jana Schulz; Anne Günther; Patrick Wysocki; Cora Holicki; Joachim Borgwardt; Wolfgang Gaede; Martin Groschup; Ute Ziegler. Serological and Molecular Investigation of Batai Virus Infections in Ruminants from the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 2018. Viruses 2021, 13, 370 .
AMA StyleNicole Cichon, Martin Eiden, Jana Schulz, Anne Günther, Patrick Wysocki, Cora Holicki, Joachim Borgwardt, Wolfgang Gaede, Martin Groschup, Ute Ziegler. Serological and Molecular Investigation of Batai Virus Infections in Ruminants from the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 2018. Viruses. 2021; 13 (3):370.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNicole Cichon; Martin Eiden; Jana Schulz; Anne Günther; Patrick Wysocki; Cora Holicki; Joachim Borgwardt; Wolfgang Gaede; Martin Groschup; Ute Ziegler. 2021. "Serological and Molecular Investigation of Batai Virus Infections in Ruminants from the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 2018." Viruses 13, no. 3: 370.
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that originates from Africa and at present causes neurological disease in birds, horses, and humans all around the globe. As West Nile fever is an important zoonosis, the role of free-ranging domestic poultry as a source of infection for humans should be evaluated. This study examined the pathogenicity of an Italian WNV lineage 1 strain for domestic poultry (chickens, ducks, and geese) held in Germany. All three species were subcutaneously injected with WNV, and the most susceptible species was also inoculated via mosquito bite. All species developed various degrees of viremia, viral shedding (oropharyngeal and cloacal), virus accumulation, and pathomorphological lesions. Geese were most susceptible, displaying the highest viremia levels. The tested waterfowl, geese, and especially ducks proved to be ideal sentinel species for WNV due to their high antibody levels and relatively low blood viral loads. None of the three poultry species can function as a reservoir/amplifying host for WNV, as their viremia levels most likely do not suffice to infect feeding mosquitoes. Due to the recent appearance of WNV in Germany, future pathogenicity studies should also include local virus strains.
Cora M. Holicki; Friederike Michel; Ana Vasić; Christine Fast; Martin Eiden; Cristian Răileanu; Helge Kampen; Doreen Werner; Martin H. Groschup; Ute Ziegler. Pathogenicity of West Nile Virus Lineage 1 to German Poultry. Vaccines 2020, 8, 507 .
AMA StyleCora M. Holicki, Friederike Michel, Ana Vasić, Christine Fast, Martin Eiden, Cristian Răileanu, Helge Kampen, Doreen Werner, Martin H. Groschup, Ute Ziegler. Pathogenicity of West Nile Virus Lineage 1 to German Poultry. Vaccines. 2020; 8 (3):507.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCora M. Holicki; Friederike Michel; Ana Vasić; Christine Fast; Martin Eiden; Cristian Răileanu; Helge Kampen; Doreen Werner; Martin H. Groschup; Ute Ziegler. 2020. "Pathogenicity of West Nile Virus Lineage 1 to German Poultry." Vaccines 8, no. 3: 507.
West Nile virus (WNV) is a widespread zoonotic arbovirus and a threat to public health in Germany since its first emergence in 2018. It has become of particular relevance in Germany in 2019 due to its rapid geographical spread and the detection of the first human clinical cases. The susceptibility of indigenous Culex pipiens (biotypes pipiens and molestus) for a German WNV lineage 2 strain was experimentally compared to that of Serbian Cx. pipiens biotype molestus and invasive German Aedes albopictus. All tested populations proved to be competent laboratory vectors of WNV. Culex pipiens biotype pipiens displayed the highest transmission efficiencies (40.0%–52.9%) at 25 °C. This biotype was also able to transmit WNV at 18 °C (transmission efficiencies of 4.4%–8.3%), proving that temperate climates in Central and Northern Europe may support WNV circulation. Furthermore, due to their feeding behaviors, Cx. pipiens biotype molestus and Ae. albopictus can act as “bridge vectors”, leading to human WNV infections.
Cora M. Holicki; Ute Ziegler; Cristian Răileanu; Helge Kampen; Doreen Werner; Jana Schulz; Cornelia Silaghi; Martin H. Groschup; Ana Vasić. West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Vector Competence of Indigenous Culex and Aedes Mosquitoes from Germany at Temperate Climate Conditions. Viruses 2020, 12, 561 .
AMA StyleCora M. Holicki, Ute Ziegler, Cristian Răileanu, Helge Kampen, Doreen Werner, Jana Schulz, Cornelia Silaghi, Martin H. Groschup, Ana Vasić. West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Vector Competence of Indigenous Culex and Aedes Mosquitoes from Germany at Temperate Climate Conditions. Viruses. 2020; 12 (5):561.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCora M. Holicki; Ute Ziegler; Cristian Răileanu; Helge Kampen; Doreen Werner; Jana Schulz; Cornelia Silaghi; Martin H. Groschup; Ana Vasić. 2020. "West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Vector Competence of Indigenous Culex and Aedes Mosquitoes from Germany at Temperate Climate Conditions." Viruses 12, no. 5: 561.
In 2018, West Nile virus (WNV) broke out for the first time in Germany, with continuation of the epidemic in 2019, involving birds, horses and humans. To identify vectors and characterize the virus, mosquitoes were collected in both years in zoological gardens and on a horse meadow immediately following the diagnosis of disease cases in birds and horses. Mosquitoes were identified and screened for WNV by qRT-PCR, with virus-positive samples being sequenced for the viral envelope protein gene. While no positive mosquitoes were found in 2018, seven mosquito pools tested positive for WNV in 2019 in the Tierpark (Wildlife Park) Berlin. The pools consisted of Cx. pipiens biotype pipiens (n = 5), and a mixture of Cx. p. biotype pipiens and Cx. p. biotype molestus (n = 2), or hybrids of these, and were collected between 13 August and 24 September 2019. The virus strain turned out to be nearly identical to two WNV strains isolated from birds diseased in 2018 in eastern Germany. The findings represent the first demonstration of WNV in mosquitoes in Germany and include the possibility of local overwintering of the virus.
Helge Kampen; Cora M. Holicki; Ute Ziegler; Martin H. Groschup; Birke Andrea Tews; Doreen Werner. West Nile Virus Mosquito Vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany. Viruses 2020, 12, 493 .
AMA StyleHelge Kampen, Cora M. Holicki, Ute Ziegler, Martin H. Groschup, Birke Andrea Tews, Doreen Werner. West Nile Virus Mosquito Vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany. Viruses. 2020; 12 (5):493.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHelge Kampen; Cora M. Holicki; Ute Ziegler; Martin H. Groschup; Birke Andrea Tews; Doreen Werner. 2020. "West Nile Virus Mosquito Vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany." Viruses 12, no. 5: 493.