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Martin Eiden
Friedrich‐Loeffler Institute (FLI) Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases (INNT) Greifswald‐Insel Riems Germany

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Original article
Published: 02 July 2021 in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
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Livestock industry supports the livelihood of around 1.3 billion people in the world, with swine industry contributing with 30% of total livestock production worldwide. To maintain and guarantee this production, a pivotal point according to the OIE is addressing potential biohazards. To control them, permanent sero-surveillance is crucial to achieve more focused veterinary public health intervention and prevention strategies, to break the chains of transmission, and to enable fast responses against outbreaks. Within this context, multiplex assays are powerful tools with the potential to simplify surveillance programs, since they reduce time, labour, and variability within analysis. In the present work, we developed a multiplex bead-based assay for the detection of specific antibodies to six relevant pathogens affecting swine: ASFV, CSFV, PRRSV, SIV, TB and HEV. The most immunogenic target antigen of each pathogen was selected as the target protein to coat different microsphere regions in order to develop this multiplex assay. A total of 1544 serum samples from experimental infections as well as field samples were included in the analysis. The 6-plex assay exhibited credible diagnostic parameters with sensitivities ranging from 87.0% to 97.5% and specificities ranging from 87.9% to 100.0%, demonstrating it to be a potential high throughput tool for surveillance of infectious diseases in swine.

ACS Style

Cristina Aira; Maren Penning; Martin Eiden; Anne Balkema‐Buschmann; Sandra Blome; Katrin Strutzberg‐Minder; Lissette López; Paloma Rueda; Patricia Sastre. A multiplex assay for the detection of antibodies to relevant swine pathogens in serum. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Cristina Aira, Maren Penning, Martin Eiden, Anne Balkema‐Buschmann, Sandra Blome, Katrin Strutzberg‐Minder, Lissette López, Paloma Rueda, Patricia Sastre. A multiplex assay for the detection of antibodies to relevant swine pathogens in serum. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Aira; Maren Penning; Martin Eiden; Anne Balkema‐Buschmann; Sandra Blome; Katrin Strutzberg‐Minder; Lissette López; Paloma Rueda; Patricia Sastre. 2021. "A multiplex assay for the detection of antibodies to relevant swine pathogens in serum." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 29 June 2021 in Parasites & Vectors
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Background Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) belongs to the genus Orthonairovirus (Nairovididae) and is a (re)emerging tick-borne pathogen. It is endemic in most parts of Africa, Asia and southern Europe, and can cause severe hemorrhagic symptoms in humans, with high fatality rates (5–30%). Methods Hyalomma ticks were collected from four different livestock herds (cattle and camels) in Mauritania in 2018. The tick species were determined morphologically and confirmed molecularly by using the cytochrome oxidase 1 gene marker. For the detection of CCHFV, ticks were tested individually by one-step multiplex real-time reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The small segment of all positive samples was sequenced to determine the CCHFV genotype. Results In total, 39 of the 1523 ticks (2.56%) collected from 63 cattles and 28 camels tested positive for CCHFV. Three Hyalomma species were identified. Hyalomma rufipes had the largest proportion of positivity (5.67%; 16/282), followed by Hyalomma dromedarii (1.89%; 23/1214). No Hyalomma impeltatum tested positive (0%; 0/21). Positive ticks were found in only six out of 91 host animals. Viral sequence analysis revealed the presence of two different CCHFV lineages (Africa I and Africa III). Conclusions In this study, 2.56% of Hyalomma ticks collected from camels and cattle in Mauritania tested positive for CCHFV. However, the true prevalence of CCHFV in unfed ticks may be lower, as a considerable number of ticks may have been passively infected during blood-feeding by co-feeding ticks or due to viremia of the host. The results indicate the need to track the actual area of circulation of this virus. Graphic Abstract

ACS Style

A. Schulz; Y. Barry; F. Stoek; M. J. Pickin; A. Ba; L. Chitimia-Dobler; M. L. Haki; B. A. Doumbia; A. Eisenbarth; A. Diambar; M. Y. Bah; M. Eiden; M. H. Groschup. Detection of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in blood-fed Hyalomma ticks collected from Mauritanian livestock. Parasites & Vectors 2021, 14, 1 -10.

AMA Style

A. Schulz, Y. Barry, F. Stoek, M. J. Pickin, A. Ba, L. Chitimia-Dobler, M. L. Haki, B. A. Doumbia, A. Eisenbarth, A. Diambar, M. Y. Bah, M. Eiden, M. H. Groschup. Detection of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in blood-fed Hyalomma ticks collected from Mauritanian livestock. Parasites & Vectors. 2021; 14 (1):1-10.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Schulz; Y. Barry; F. Stoek; M. J. Pickin; A. Ba; L. Chitimia-Dobler; M. L. Haki; B. A. Doumbia; A. Eisenbarth; A. Diambar; M. Y. Bah; M. Eiden; M. H. Groschup. 2021. "Detection of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in blood-fed Hyalomma ticks collected from Mauritanian livestock." Parasites & Vectors 14, no. 1: 1-10.

Journal article
Published: 03 June 2021 in Viruses
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Hepatitis E is an emerging viral disease that is the leading cause of viral hepatitis in the world. The vast majority of hepatitis E cases in developed countries are caused by zoonotic genotypes 3 and 4 of hepatitis E virus (HEV) for which pig and wild boar and to lesser extent rabbits are the main reservoir. According to recent reports rabbits are a source of human HEV infection and highlight the risk of zoonotic foodborne transmission. Here we report the molecular analysis of a novel HEV strain identified in a rabbit during a countrywide surveillance of rabbits and hares in Germany, 2016. The analysis of the complete genome reveals characteristics of a putative novel recombinant subtype of the species Orthohepevirus A within the clade of genotype 3 but not closely related to any known subtypes. Importantly, the genome of this strain possesses a nucleotide exchange in the overlapping region of open reading frames ORF2/ORF3 interfering with a broadly applied diagnostic real-time RT-PCR. In conclusion, a new type of HEV strain was identified in a German rabbit with atypical and novel sequence characteristics.

ACS Style

Filip Cierniak; Felicitas von Arnim; Gerald Heckel; Rainer Ulrich; Martin Groschup; Martin Eiden. A Putative Novel Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 Subtype Identified in Rabbit, Germany 2016. Viruses 2021, 13, 1065 .

AMA Style

Filip Cierniak, Felicitas von Arnim, Gerald Heckel, Rainer Ulrich, Martin Groschup, Martin Eiden. A Putative Novel Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 Subtype Identified in Rabbit, Germany 2016. Viruses. 2021; 13 (6):1065.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filip Cierniak; Felicitas von Arnim; Gerald Heckel; Rainer Ulrich; Martin Groschup; Martin Eiden. 2021. "A Putative Novel Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 Subtype Identified in Rabbit, Germany 2016." Viruses 13, no. 6: 1065.

Journal article
Published: 31 May 2021 in Pathogens
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Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arthropod-borne virus, which has led to devastating epidemics in African countries and on the Arabian Peninsula. Results of in-vivo, in-vitro and field studies suggested that amphibians and reptiles may play a role as reservoir hosts of RVFV, promoting its maintenance during inter-epidemic periods. To elucidate this hypothesis, we examined two newly established reptile-derived cell lines (Egyptian cobra and Chinese pond turtle) and five previously generated reptile- and amphibian-derived cell lines for their replicative capacity for three low- and high-pathogenic RVFV strains. At different time points after infection, viral loads (TCID50), genome loads and the presence of intracellular viral antigen (immunofluorescence) were assessed. Additionally, the influence of temperatures on the replication was examined. Except for one cell line (read-eared slider), all seven cell lines were infected by all three RVFV strains. Two different terrapin-derived cell lines (Common box turtle, Chinese pond turtle) were highly susceptible. A temperature-dependent replication of RVFV was detected for both amphibian and reptile cells. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate the general permissiveness of amphibian and reptile cell lines to RVFV and propose a potential involvement of terrapins in the virus ecology.

ACS Style

Melanie Rissmann; Matthias Lenk; Franziska Stoek; Claudia Szentiks; Martin Eiden; Martin Groschup. Replication of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Amphibian and Reptile-Derived Cell Lines. Pathogens 2021, 10, 681 .

AMA Style

Melanie Rissmann, Matthias Lenk, Franziska Stoek, Claudia Szentiks, Martin Eiden, Martin Groschup. Replication of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Amphibian and Reptile-Derived Cell Lines. Pathogens. 2021; 10 (6):681.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Melanie Rissmann; Matthias Lenk; Franziska Stoek; Claudia Szentiks; Martin Eiden; Martin Groschup. 2021. "Replication of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Amphibian and Reptile-Derived Cell Lines." Pathogens 10, no. 6: 681.

Journal article
Published: 30 April 2021 in Viruses
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Prion diseases like scrapie in sheep, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle or Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) in humans are fatal neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the conformational conversion of the normal, mainly α-helical cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the abnormal β-sheet rich infectious isoform PrPSc. Various therapeutic or prophylactic approaches have been conducted, but no approved therapeutic treatment is available so far. Immunisation against prions is hampered by the self-tolerance to PrPC in mammalian species. One strategy to avoid this tolerance is presenting PrP variants in virus-like particles (VLPs). Therefore, we vaccinated C57/BL6 mice with nine prion peptide variants presented by hamster polyomavirus capsid protein VP1/VP2-derived VLPs. Mice were subsequently challenged intraperitoneally with the murine RML prion strain. Importantly, one group exhibited significantly increased mean survival time of 240 days post-inoculation compared with 202 days of the control group. These data show that immunisation with VLPs presenting PrP peptides may represent a promising strategy for an effective vaccination against transmissible spongiform encephalitis agents.

ACS Style

Martin Eiden; Alma Gedvilaite; Fabienne Leidel; Rainer Ulrich; Martin Groschup. Vaccination with Prion Peptide-Displaying Polyomavirus-Like Particles Prolongs Incubation Time in Scrapie-Infected Mice. Viruses 2021, 13, 811 .

AMA Style

Martin Eiden, Alma Gedvilaite, Fabienne Leidel, Rainer Ulrich, Martin Groschup. Vaccination with Prion Peptide-Displaying Polyomavirus-Like Particles Prolongs Incubation Time in Scrapie-Infected Mice. Viruses. 2021; 13 (5):811.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martin Eiden; Alma Gedvilaite; Fabienne Leidel; Rainer Ulrich; Martin Groschup. 2021. "Vaccination with Prion Peptide-Displaying Polyomavirus-Like Particles Prolongs Incubation Time in Scrapie-Infected Mice." Viruses 13, no. 5: 811.

Research article
Published: 12 April 2021 in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
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Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is one of the most widespread zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses in many parts of Africa, Europe and Asia. It belongs to the family of Nairoviridae in the genus of Orthonairovirus. The main reservoir and vector are ticks of the genus Hyalomma. Livestock animals (such as cattle, small ruminants and camels) develop a viremias lasting up to two weeks with absence of clinical symptoms, followed by seroconversion. This study was carried out to assess risk factors that affect seroprevalence rates in different species. In total, 928 livestock animal samples (cattle = 201; sheep = 247; goats = 233; camels = 247) from 11 out of 13 regions in Mauritania were assayed for CCHFV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) (including a novel indirect camel-IgG-specific CCHFV ELISA). Inconclusive results were resolved by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). A generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) was used to draw conclusions about the impact of certain factors (age, species, sex and region) which might have influenced the CCHFV antibody status of surveyed animals. In goats and sheep, about 15% of the animals were seropositive, whereas in cattle (69%) and camels (81%), the prevalence rate was significantly higher. On average, cattle and camels were up to twice to four times older than small ruminants. Interestingly, the seroprevalence in all species was directly linked to the age of the animals, i.e. older animals had significantly higher seroprevalence rates than younger animals. The highest CCHFV seroprevalence in Mauritania was found in camels and cattle, followed by small ruminants. The large proportion of positive animals in cattle and camels might be explained by the high ages of the animals. Future CCHFV prevalence studies should at least consider the age of surveyed animals in order to avoid misinterpretations.

ACS Style

Ansgar Schulz; Yahya Barry; Franziska Stoek; Aliou Ba; Jana Schulz; Mohamed L. Haki; Miriam A. Sas; Baba A. Doumbia; Peter Kirkland; Mohamed Y. Bah; Martin Eiden; Martin H. Groschup. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus antibody prevalence in Mauritanian livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and camels) is stratified by the animal’s age. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021, 15, e0009228 .

AMA Style

Ansgar Schulz, Yahya Barry, Franziska Stoek, Aliou Ba, Jana Schulz, Mohamed L. Haki, Miriam A. Sas, Baba A. Doumbia, Peter Kirkland, Mohamed Y. Bah, Martin Eiden, Martin H. Groschup. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus antibody prevalence in Mauritanian livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and camels) is stratified by the animal’s age. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2021; 15 (4):e0009228.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ansgar Schulz; Yahya Barry; Franziska Stoek; Aliou Ba; Jana Schulz; Mohamed L. Haki; Miriam A. Sas; Baba A. Doumbia; Peter Kirkland; Mohamed Y. Bah; Martin Eiden; Martin H. Groschup. 2021. "Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus antibody prevalence in Mauritanian livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and camels) is stratified by the animal’s age." PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 15, no. 4: e0009228.

Original article
Published: 01 April 2021 in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
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Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV) is an arthropod‐borne virus that can cause severe disease in ruminants and humans. Epidemics occur mainly after heavy rainfall, which leads to a significant increase in the occurrence of RVFV transmitting mosquitoes. During inter‐epidemic periods the virus is assumed to be maintained between mosquitoes, susceptible livestock and yet unknown wildlife. The widespread rodent Rattus rattus (black rat) has been suspected to be involved in RVFV maintenance. In order to elucidate its susceptibility and thus its possible role in the transmission cycle of the virus, an experimental infection study was performed. Black rats were subcutaneously infected with highly virulent RVFV strain 35/74 and sacrificed on day 3, 14 and 28 post infection. Additional black rats served as non‐infected contact animals. The infected black rats showed high susceptibility to RVFV infection. Generation of RVFV neutralizing antibodies was found and the rats developed viremias lasting up to 17 days. Viral RNA was found in tissues until the last day of the experiment. However, neither a clinical manifestation nor virus‐induced histopathological lesions were observed in any rat. These findings indicate the persistence of RVFV in black rats without affecting the animals. In contact animals, no evidence of horizontal RVFV transmission was found, although the co‐housed infected rats showed oral, rectal and conjunctival RVFV shedding. Results of this study point to an involvement of black rats in the RVFV transmission cycle and further studies are needed to investigate their potential role in the maintenance of the virus.

ACS Style

Franziska Stoek; Melanie Rissmann; Reiner Ulrich; Martin Eiden; Martin H. Groschup. Black rats ( Rattus rattus ) as potential reservoir hosts for Rift Valley fever phlebovirus: Experimental infection results in viral replication and shedding without clinical manifestation. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Franziska Stoek, Melanie Rissmann, Reiner Ulrich, Martin Eiden, Martin H. Groschup. Black rats ( Rattus rattus ) as potential reservoir hosts for Rift Valley fever phlebovirus: Experimental infection results in viral replication and shedding without clinical manifestation. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Franziska Stoek; Melanie Rissmann; Reiner Ulrich; Martin Eiden; Martin H. Groschup. 2021. "Black rats ( Rattus rattus ) as potential reservoir hosts for Rift Valley fever phlebovirus: Experimental infection results in viral replication and shedding without clinical manifestation." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 23 March 2021 in Vaccines
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Compared to free antigens, antigens immobilized on scaffolds, such as nanoparticles, generally show improved immunogenicity. Conventionally, antigens are conjugated to scaffolds through genetic fusion or chemical conjugation, which may result in impaired assembly or heterogeneous binding and orientation of the antigens. By combining two emerging technologies—i.e., self-assembling multimeric protein scaffold particles (MPSPs) and bacterial superglue—these shortcomings can be overcome and antigens can be bound on particles in their native conformation. In the present work, we assessed whether this technology could improve the immunogenicity of a candidate subunit vaccine against the zoonotic Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). For this, the head domain of glycoprotein Gn, a known target of neutralizing antibodies, was coupled on various MPSPs to further assess immunogenicity and efficacy in vivo. The results showed that the Gn head domain, when bound to the lumazine synthase-based MPSP, reduced mortality in a lethal mouse model and protected lambs, the most susceptible RVFV target animals, from viremia and clinical signs after immunization. Furthermore, the same subunit coupled to two other MPSPs (Geobacillus stearothermophilus E2 or a modified KDPG Aldolase) provided full protection in lambs as well.

ACS Style

Paul Wichgers Schreur; Mirriam Tacken; Benjamin Gutjahr; Markus Keller; Lucien van Keulen; Jet Kant; Sandra van de Water; Yanyin Lin; Martin Eiden; Melanie Rissmann; Felicitas von Arnim; Rebecca König; Alexander Brix; Catherine Charreyre; Jean-Christophe Audonnet; Martin Groschup; Jeroen Kortekaas. Vaccine Efficacy of Self-Assembled Multimeric Protein Scaffold Particles Displaying the Glycoprotein Gn Head Domain of Rift Valley Fever Virus. Vaccines 2021, 9, 301 .

AMA Style

Paul Wichgers Schreur, Mirriam Tacken, Benjamin Gutjahr, Markus Keller, Lucien van Keulen, Jet Kant, Sandra van de Water, Yanyin Lin, Martin Eiden, Melanie Rissmann, Felicitas von Arnim, Rebecca König, Alexander Brix, Catherine Charreyre, Jean-Christophe Audonnet, Martin Groschup, Jeroen Kortekaas. Vaccine Efficacy of Self-Assembled Multimeric Protein Scaffold Particles Displaying the Glycoprotein Gn Head Domain of Rift Valley Fever Virus. Vaccines. 2021; 9 (3):301.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paul Wichgers Schreur; Mirriam Tacken; Benjamin Gutjahr; Markus Keller; Lucien van Keulen; Jet Kant; Sandra van de Water; Yanyin Lin; Martin Eiden; Melanie Rissmann; Felicitas von Arnim; Rebecca König; Alexander Brix; Catherine Charreyre; Jean-Christophe Audonnet; Martin Groschup; Jeroen Kortekaas. 2021. "Vaccine Efficacy of Self-Assembled Multimeric Protein Scaffold Particles Displaying the Glycoprotein Gn Head Domain of Rift Valley Fever Virus." Vaccines 9, no. 3: 301.

Original article
Published: 02 March 2021 in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
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The emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in Europe resulted in significant outbreaks leading to avifauna mortality and human infections. Both viruses have overlapping geographical, host and vector ranges, and are often co‐circulating in Europe. In Germany, a nationwide bird surveillance network was established to monitor these zoonotic arthropod‐borne viruses in migratory and resident birds. In this framework, co‐infections with WNV and USUV were detected in six dead birds collected in 2018 and 2019. Genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses classified the detected WNV strains as lineage 2 and the USUV strains as lineages Africa 2 (n=2), Africa 3 (n=3), and Europe 2 (n=1). Preliminary attempts to co‐propagate both viruses in‐vitro failed. However, we successfully cultivated WNV from two animals. Further evidence for WNV‐USUV co‐infection was obtained by sampling live birds in four zoological gardens with confirmed WNV cases. Three snowy owls had high neutralizing antibody titers against both WNV and USUV, of which two were also positive for USUV‐RNA. In conclusion, further reports of co‐infections in animals as well as in humans are expected in the future, particularly in areas where both viruses are present in the vector population.

ACS Style

Pauline Dianne Santos; Friederike Michel; Claudia Wylezich; Dirk Höper; 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. Co‐Infections: Simultaneous Detections of West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Birds from Germany. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Pauline Dianne Santos, Friederike Michel, Claudia Wylezich, Dirk Höper, 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. Co‐Infections: Simultaneous Detections of West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Birds from Germany. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pauline Dianne Santos; Friederike Michel; Claudia Wylezich; Dirk Höper; 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. 2021. "Co‐Infections: Simultaneous Detections of West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus in Birds from Germany." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 26 February 2021 in Viruses
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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.

ACS Style

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 Style

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 (3):370.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicole 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.

Original research
Published: 19 February 2021 in Transfusion
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Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the leading cause of acute hepatitis throughout the world. Increasing blood component transfusion‐associated HEV infections highlight the need for reliable virus inactivation procedures for plasma derivatives from pooled plasma donations. Study Design and Methods An animal infection study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of HEV inactivation by pasteurization during the manufacturing process of the von Willebrand Factor/Factor VIII (VWF/FVIII) concentrate Haemate P/Humate‐P (CSL Behring, Marburg, Germany). For this purpose, groups of pigs were inoculated with stabilized VWF/FVIII intermediate spiked with HEV‐positive liver homogenate and exposed to increasing incubation times of 0, 3, 6, and 10 h at 60°C. Animals were evaluated for virus replication over 27 days and in a subsequent trial over 92 days. Results Virus replication was detected in animals up to the 6‐h pasteurization group. In contrast, pasteurization for 10 h did not reveal virus detection when the observation period was 27 days. In an additional experiment using the 10‐h pasteurized material, two individuals started virus excretion and seroconverted when the observation period was extended to 92 days. Based on the total infection rate (2 of 12) of the animals inoculated with the sample pasteurized for 10 h, a virus reduction factor of at least 4.7 log10 is calculated. Conclusion This study demonstrates that pasteurization at 60°C for 10 h of an HEV‐positive plasma derivative leads to the effective reduction of infectivity, resulting in a VWF/FVIII product with an appropriate margin of safety for HEV.

ACS Style

Lisa Dähnert; Josephine Schlosser; Christine Fast; Andreas Fröhlich; Albrecht Gröner; Elke Lange; Nathan J. Roth; Wolfram Schäfer; Charlotte Schröder; Martin Eiden; Martin H. Groschup. Hepatitis E virus: Efficacy of pasteurization of plasma‐derived VWF / FVIII concentrate determined by pig bioassay. Transfusion 2021, 61, 1266 -1277.

AMA Style

Lisa Dähnert, Josephine Schlosser, Christine Fast, Andreas Fröhlich, Albrecht Gröner, Elke Lange, Nathan J. Roth, Wolfram Schäfer, Charlotte Schröder, Martin Eiden, Martin H. Groschup. Hepatitis E virus: Efficacy of pasteurization of plasma‐derived VWF / FVIII concentrate determined by pig bioassay. Transfusion. 2021; 61 (4):1266-1277.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lisa Dähnert; Josephine Schlosser; Christine Fast; Andreas Fröhlich; Albrecht Gröner; Elke Lange; Nathan J. Roth; Wolfram Schäfer; Charlotte Schröder; Martin Eiden; Martin H. Groschup. 2021. "Hepatitis E virus: Efficacy of pasteurization of plasma‐derived VWF / FVIII concentrate determined by pig bioassay." Transfusion 61, no. 4: 1266-1277.

Journal article
Published: 23 October 2020 in Viruses
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Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV) is an arthropod-borne zoonotic pathogen, which is endemic in Africa, causing large epidemics, characterized by severe diseases in ruminants but also in humans. As in vitro and field investigations proposed amphibians and reptiles to potentially play a role in the enzootic amplification of the virus, we experimentally infected African common toads and common agamas with two RVFV strains. Lymph or sera, as well as oral, cutaneous and anal swabs were collected from the challenged animals to investigate seroconversion, viremia and virus shedding. Furthermore, groups of animals were euthanized 3, 10 and 21 days post-infection (dpi) to examine viral loads in different tissues during the infection. Our data show for the first time that toads are refractory to RVFV infection, showing neither seroconversion, viremia, shedding nor tissue manifestation. In contrast, all agamas challenged with the RVFV strain ZH501 carried virus genomes in the spleens at 3 dpi, but the animals displayed neither viremia nor virus shedding. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that amphibians are not susceptible and reptiles are only susceptible to a low extent to RVFV, indicating that both species play, if at all, rather a subordinate role in the RVF virus ecology.

ACS Style

Melanie Rissmann; Nils Kley; Reiner Ulrich; Franziska Stoek; Anne Balkema-Buschmann; Martin Eiden; Martin H. Groschup. Competency of Amphibians and Reptiles and Their Potential Role as Reservoir Hosts for Rift Valley Fever Virus. Viruses 2020, 12, 1206 .

AMA Style

Melanie Rissmann, Nils Kley, Reiner Ulrich, Franziska Stoek, Anne Balkema-Buschmann, Martin Eiden, Martin H. Groschup. Competency of Amphibians and Reptiles and Their Potential Role as Reservoir Hosts for Rift Valley Fever Virus. Viruses. 2020; 12 (11):1206.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Melanie Rissmann; Nils Kley; Reiner Ulrich; Franziska Stoek; Anne Balkema-Buschmann; Martin Eiden; Martin H. Groschup. 2020. "Competency of Amphibians and Reptiles and Their Potential Role as Reservoir Hosts for Rift Valley Fever Virus." Viruses 12, no. 11: 1206.

Journal article
Published: 05 September 2020 in Vaccines
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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.

ACS Style

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 Style

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 (3):507.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cora 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.

Original article
Published: 29 June 2020 in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
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Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the family Flaviviridae, is the most important tick‐transmitted arbovirus in Europe. It can cause severe illnesses in humans and in various animal species. The main mechanism for the spread of TBEV into new areas is considered to be the translocation of infected ticks. To find out whether ducks can function as a natural virus reservoir in addition to serving as passive transport vectors, we carried out an experimental TBEV challenge study to reveal their susceptibility and resulting pathogenesis. Nineteen ducks were inoculated subcutaneously with TBEV strain “Neudoerfl” and monitored for 21 days. Blood, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were collected throughout the experiment and organ samples upon necropsy at the end of the study. All samples were tested for TBEV‐RNA by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. TBEV specific antibodies were determined by virus neutralization test and ELISA. Organ samples were examined histopathologically and by immunohistochemistry. The inoculated ducks did not show any clinical symptoms. TBEV‐specific RNA was detected in all brain samples as well as in a few blood and swab samples. Moreover, all challenged birds produced TBEV antibodies and showed a mild to severe acute to subacute necrotizing encephalitis. TBEV specific antigen was detected in the brain of 14 ducks by immunohistochemistry. The short and low viremic phases, as well as the low virus load in tissues suggest that ducks should not be considered as reservoir hosts. However, due to the high antibody levels, ducks can serve as sentinel species for the detection of natural TBEV foci.

ACS Style

Friederike Michel; Ute Ziegler; Christine Fast; Martin Eiden; Christine Klaus; Gerhard Dobler; Karin Stiasny; Martin H. Groschup. Role of ducks in the transmission cycle of tick‐borne encephalitis virus? Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2020, 68, 499 -508.

AMA Style

Friederike Michel, Ute Ziegler, Christine Fast, Martin Eiden, Christine Klaus, Gerhard Dobler, Karin Stiasny, Martin H. Groschup. Role of ducks in the transmission cycle of tick‐borne encephalitis virus? Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2020; 68 (2):499-508.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Friederike Michel; Ute Ziegler; Christine Fast; Martin Eiden; Christine Klaus; Gerhard Dobler; Karin Stiasny; Martin H. Groschup. 2020. "Role of ducks in the transmission cycle of tick‐borne encephalitis virus?" Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 68, no. 2: 499-508.

Journal article
Published: 15 April 2020 in Viruses
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One year after the first autochthonous transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) to birds and horses in Germany, an epizootic emergence of WNV was again observed in 2019. The number of infected birds and horses was considerably higher compared to 2018 (12 birds, two horses), resulting in the observation of the first WNV epidemy in Germany: 76 cases in birds, 36 in horses and five confirmed mosquito-borne, autochthonous human cases. We demonstrated that Germany experienced several WNV introduction events and that strains of a distinct group (Eastern German WNV clade), which was introduced to Germany as a single introduction event, dominated mosquito, birds, horse and human-related virus variants in 2018 and 2019. Virus strains in this clade are characterized by a specific-Lys2114Arg mutation, which might lead to an increase in viral fitness. Extraordinary high temperatures in 2018/2019 allowed a low extrinsic incubation period (EIP), which drove the epizootic emergence and, in the end, most likely triggered the 2019 epidemic. Spatiotemporal EIP values correlated with the geographical WNV incidence. This study highlights the risk of a further spread in Germany in the next years with additional human WNV infections. Thus, surveillance of birds is essential to provide an early epidemic warning and thus, initiate targeted control measures.

ACS Style

Ute Ziegler; Pauline Dianne Santos; Martin H. Groschup; Carolin Hattendorf; Martin Eiden; Dirk Höper; Philip Eisermann; Markus Keller; Friederike Michel; Robert Klopfleisch; Kerstin Müller; Doreen Werner; Helge Kampen; Martin Beer; Christina Frank; Raskit Lachmann; Birke Andrea Tews; Claudia Wylezich; Monika Rinder; Lars Lachmann; Thomas Grünewald; Claudia A. Szentiks; Michael Sieg; Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit; Daniel Cadar; Renke Lühken. West Nile Virus Epidemic in Germany Triggered by Epizootic Emergence, 2019. Viruses 2020, 12, 448 .

AMA Style

Ute Ziegler, Pauline Dianne Santos, Martin H. Groschup, Carolin Hattendorf, Martin Eiden, Dirk Höper, Philip Eisermann, Markus Keller, Friederike Michel, Robert Klopfleisch, Kerstin Müller, Doreen Werner, Helge Kampen, Martin Beer, Christina Frank, Raskit Lachmann, Birke Andrea Tews, Claudia Wylezich, Monika Rinder, Lars Lachmann, Thomas Grünewald, Claudia A. Szentiks, Michael Sieg, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, Daniel Cadar, Renke Lühken. West Nile Virus Epidemic in Germany Triggered by Epizootic Emergence, 2019. Viruses. 2020; 12 (4):448.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ute Ziegler; Pauline Dianne Santos; Martin H. Groschup; Carolin Hattendorf; Martin Eiden; Dirk Höper; Philip Eisermann; Markus Keller; Friederike Michel; Robert Klopfleisch; Kerstin Müller; Doreen Werner; Helge Kampen; Martin Beer; Christina Frank; Raskit Lachmann; Birke Andrea Tews; Claudia Wylezich; Monika Rinder; Lars Lachmann; Thomas Grünewald; Claudia A. Szentiks; Michael Sieg; Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit; Daniel Cadar; Renke Lühken. 2020. "West Nile Virus Epidemic in Germany Triggered by Epizootic Emergence, 2019." Viruses 12, no. 4: 448.

Research article
Published: 11 March 2020 in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
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Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus that causes severe disease in humans and ruminants. The infection is characterized by abortions in pregnant animals, high mortality in neonates as well as febrile illness in humans that develop in 1% of cases encephalitis or hemorrhagic fever. There is presently no specific antiviral treatment for RVFV infection available. In this study, two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), raised against glycoprotein Gn, were applied in a therapeutic study. Treatment of RVFV infected mice with neutralizing mAb Gn3 alone at two different time points (30 minutes before or 30 minutes after virus challenge) showed only moderate efficacy of about 58.3% survival in both applications. However, a combination therapy together with non-neutralizing mAb Gn32 demonstrated complete protection (100% survival) when applied 30 minutes after the lethal challenge dose. The increase of mAb efficacy is probably based on cooperative neutralization effects. These data suggest that a combination therapy with mAbs Gn3 and Gn32 could be an effective treatment option against RVFV infection.

ACS Style

Benjamin Gutjahr; Markus Keller; Melanie Rissmann; Felicitas Von Arnim; Susanne Jäckel; Sven Reiche; Reiner Ulrich; Martin H. Groschup; Martin Eiden. Two monoclonal antibodies against glycoprotein Gn protect mice from Rift Valley Fever challenge by cooperative effects. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2020, 14, e0008143 .

AMA Style

Benjamin Gutjahr, Markus Keller, Melanie Rissmann, Felicitas Von Arnim, Susanne Jäckel, Sven Reiche, Reiner Ulrich, Martin H. Groschup, Martin Eiden. Two monoclonal antibodies against glycoprotein Gn protect mice from Rift Valley Fever challenge by cooperative effects. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2020; 14 (3):e0008143.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Benjamin Gutjahr; Markus Keller; Melanie Rissmann; Felicitas Von Arnim; Susanne Jäckel; Sven Reiche; Reiner Ulrich; Martin H. Groschup; Martin Eiden. 2020. "Two monoclonal antibodies against glycoprotein Gn protect mice from Rift Valley Fever challenge by cooperative effects." PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14, no. 3: e0008143.

Original research article
Published: 31 January 2020 in Frontiers in Microbiology
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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main course for acute hepatitis in humans throughout the world. Human associated genotypes 1 and 2 as well as zoonotic genotypes 3 and 4 are grouped in the species Orthohepevirus A. In addition, a large variety of HEV-related viruses has been found in vertebrates including carnivores, rats, bats, and chickens, which were classified in species Orthohepevirus B-D. In 2015, partial genome sequences of a novel hepevirus were detected in feces of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). However, no further information about virus circulation and the prevalence in foxes was available. We therefore assayed a unique panel of 880 transudates, which was collected from red foxes over 19 years (1993–2012) in Brandenburg, Germany, for HEV-related viral RNA and antibodies. Our results demonstrate a high antibody prevalence of HEV in red foxes, which oscillated annually between 40 and 100%. Molecular screening of the transudates revealed only a single RNA-positive sample, which was assigned to the carnivore species Orthohepevirus C based on the amplified partial sequence. These data indicate that the virus is circulating widely in the fox population and that foxes are carriers of this virus.

ACS Style

Martin Eiden; Lisa Dähnert; Susanne Spoerel; Ariel Vina-Rodriguez; Ronald Schröder; Franz J. Conraths; Martin H. Groschup. Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany, 1993–2012. Frontiers in Microbiology 2020, 11, 115 .

AMA Style

Martin Eiden, Lisa Dähnert, Susanne Spoerel, Ariel Vina-Rodriguez, Ronald Schröder, Franz J. Conraths, Martin H. Groschup. Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany, 1993–2012. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2020; 11 ():115.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martin Eiden; Lisa Dähnert; Susanne Spoerel; Ariel Vina-Rodriguez; Ronald Schröder; Franz J. Conraths; Martin H. Groschup. 2020. "Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany, 1993–2012." Frontiers in Microbiology 11, no. : 115.

Research article
Published: 25 November 2019 in Veterinary Medicine International
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Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic vector borne infectious disease of major medical and veterinary importance particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is dearth of epidemiological knowledge of the disease in Cameroon. We conducted a cross-sectional study (January 2016–January 2017) to investigate the seroprevalence and potential risk factors of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in sheep and goats in the North region of Cameroon. Stratified sampling approach was used to select herds where sera were collected from 680 randomly selected small ruminants (355 goats and 325 sheep) in eight localities (Kismatari, Lagdo, Pitoa, Garoua, Bocklé, Dembo, Poli and Touboro) within three administrative divisions (Bénoué, Mayo-Rey and Faro) in the North region. Anti-RVFV antibodies were detected using a competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), while a capture ELISA was used for the detection of specific RVFV-Immunoglobulin M (Ig-M) antibodies. We evaluated the associated potential risk factors of RVF in small ruminants based on observations of animal-related intrinsic and extrinsic factors in combination with serological results. The results revealed that 3.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2–5.1%) of sampled animals and 24.6% (95% CI: 15.1–37.1%) of 65 sampled herds were seropositive for anti-RVFV antibodies and no difference in seropositivity between sheep and goats at individual animal as well as at herd levels was observed. Localities along hydrographic or large water banks such as Kismatari (OR: 14.333, (95% CI: 1.436–145.088)) and Pitoa (OR = 11.467 (95% CI: 1.249–50.306)) were significantly associated to RVFV antibody seroprevalence in a simple logistic regression. In addition, the multiple regression analysis showed that age and access to water points significantly influenced RVFV antibody seroprevalence in small ruminants. This study revealed that anti-RVFV antibodies are present in sheep and goats in the North region of Cameroon. It highlights the likely endemic circulation of RVFV in the considered localities despite the absence of clinical cases reported in animals or humans. Under these conditions, it is necessary to set up an early warning, surveillance and control strategy based on epizootic risk.

ACS Style

R. Poueme; F. Stoek; N. Nloga; J. Awah-Ndukum; M. Rissmann; A. Schulz; A. Wade; J. Kouamo; M. Moctar; A. Eisenbarth; L. God-Yang; S. Dickmu; M. Eiden; M. H. Groschup. Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Rift Valley Fever in Domestic Small Ruminants in the North Region of Cameroon. Veterinary Medicine International 2019, 2019, 1 -8.

AMA Style

R. Poueme, F. Stoek, N. Nloga, J. Awah-Ndukum, M. Rissmann, A. Schulz, A. Wade, J. Kouamo, M. Moctar, A. Eisenbarth, L. God-Yang, S. Dickmu, M. Eiden, M. H. Groschup. Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Rift Valley Fever in Domestic Small Ruminants in the North Region of Cameroon. Veterinary Medicine International. 2019; 2019 ():1-8.

Chicago/Turabian Style

R. Poueme; F. Stoek; N. Nloga; J. Awah-Ndukum; M. Rissmann; A. Schulz; A. Wade; J. Kouamo; M. Moctar; A. Eisenbarth; L. God-Yang; S. Dickmu; M. Eiden; M. H. Groschup. 2019. "Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Rift Valley Fever in Domestic Small Ruminants in the North Region of Cameroon." Veterinary Medicine International 2019, no. : 1-8.

Short communication
Published: 12 October 2019 in Veterinary Microbiology
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Sindbis virus (SINV) is an arbovirus causing clinical symptoms such as arthritis, rash and fever following human infections in Fennoscandia. Its transmission cycle involves mosquito species as vectors as well as wild birds that act as natural reservoir hosts. In Germany, SINV was first time observed in 2009 in different mosquito species in the Upper Rhine valley and one year later in a hooded crow in Berlin. Recently, SINV was also detected repeatedly at various locations in Germany in the context of a mosquitoes monitoring program for arboviruses. In this study, we detected for just the second time a SINV infection in a diseased wild bird (common wood pigeon) from Central Europe. SINV was isolated by cell culture and the complete SINV genome sequence was determined. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a close affiliation to SINV genotype I with a high similarity to human isolate sequences from Finland, Sweden and Russia. The isolate was genetically distinct from the first avian isolate suggesting the circulation of at least two different SINV strains in Germany. In order to reveal the infection frequency in SINV positive mosquito regions 749 bird blood samples were assayed serologically and SINV antibodies found primarily in resident birds. SINV is therefore endemically circulating in mosquitoes in Germany, which results in occasional bird infections. No data are yet available on zoonotic transmission to humans.

ACS Style

Ute Ziegler; Dominik Fischer; Martin Eiden; Maximilian Reuschel; Monika Rinder; Kerstin Müller; Rebekka Schwehn; Volker Schmidt; Martin H. Groschup; Markus Keller. Sindbis virus- a wild bird associated zoonotic arbovirus circulates in Germany. Veterinary Microbiology 2019, 239, 108453 .

AMA Style

Ute Ziegler, Dominik Fischer, Martin Eiden, Maximilian Reuschel, Monika Rinder, Kerstin Müller, Rebekka Schwehn, Volker Schmidt, Martin H. Groschup, Markus Keller. Sindbis virus- a wild bird associated zoonotic arbovirus circulates in Germany. Veterinary Microbiology. 2019; 239 ():108453.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ute Ziegler; Dominik Fischer; Martin Eiden; Maximilian Reuschel; Monika Rinder; Kerstin Müller; Rebekka Schwehn; Volker Schmidt; Martin H. Groschup; Markus Keller. 2019. "Sindbis virus- a wild bird associated zoonotic arbovirus circulates in Germany." Veterinary Microbiology 239, no. : 108453.

Journal article
Published: 23 July 2019 in Viruses
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Wild birds play an important role as reservoir hosts and vectors for zoonotic arboviruses and foster their spread. Usutu virus (USUV) has been circulating endemically in Germany since 2011, while West Nile virus (WNV) was first diagnosed in several bird species and horses in 2018. In 2017 and 2018, we screened 1709 live wild and zoo birds with real-time polymerase chain reaction and serological assays. Moreover, organ samples from bird carcasses submitted in 2017 were investigated. Overall, 57 blood samples of the live birds (2017 and 2018), and 100 organ samples of dead birds (2017) were positive for USUV-RNA, while no WNV-RNA-positive sample was found. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the first detection of USUV lineage Europe 2 in Germany and the spread of USUV lineages Europe 3 and Africa 3 towards Northern Germany. USUV antibody prevalence rates were high in Eastern Germany in both years. On the contrary, in Northern Germany, high seroprevalence rates were first detected in 2018, with the first emergence of USUV in this region. Interestingly, high WNV-specific neutralizing antibody titers were observed in resident and short-distance migratory birds in Eastern Germany in 2018, indicating the first signs of a local WNV circulation.

ACS Style

Friederike Michel; Michael Sieg; Dominik Fischer; Markus Keller; Martin Eiden; Maximilian Reuschel; Volker Schmidt; Rebekka Schwehn; Monika Rinder; Sylvia Urbaniak; Kerstin Müller; Martina Schmoock; Renke Lühken; Patrick Wysocki; Christine Fast; Michael Lierz; Rüdiger Korbel; Thomas W. Vahlenkamp; Martin H. Groschup; Ute Ziegler. Evidence for West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus Infections in Wild and Resident Birds in Germany, 2017 and 2018. Viruses 2019, 11, 674 .

AMA Style

Friederike Michel, Michael Sieg, Dominik Fischer, Markus Keller, Martin Eiden, Maximilian Reuschel, Volker Schmidt, Rebekka Schwehn, Monika Rinder, Sylvia Urbaniak, Kerstin Müller, Martina Schmoock, Renke Lühken, Patrick Wysocki, Christine Fast, Michael Lierz, Rüdiger Korbel, Thomas W. Vahlenkamp, Martin H. Groschup, Ute Ziegler. Evidence for West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus Infections in Wild and Resident Birds in Germany, 2017 and 2018. Viruses. 2019; 11 (7):674.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Friederike Michel; Michael Sieg; Dominik Fischer; Markus Keller; Martin Eiden; Maximilian Reuschel; Volker Schmidt; Rebekka Schwehn; Monika Rinder; Sylvia Urbaniak; Kerstin Müller; Martina Schmoock; Renke Lühken; Patrick Wysocki; Christine Fast; Michael Lierz; Rüdiger Korbel; Thomas W. Vahlenkamp; Martin H. Groschup; Ute Ziegler. 2019. "Evidence for West Nile Virus and Usutu Virus Infections in Wild and Resident Birds in Germany, 2017 and 2018." Viruses 11, no. 7: 674.