A Serological Investigation of West Nile Virus Infections in Various Animal Species and Humans in Western Turkey

ABSTRACT
West Nile Virus (WNV ) infection, transmitted mainly through mosquito bites, is generally asymptomatic but may also result in mild fever, meningitis, encephalitis and death in various animals and humans. The presence of the WNV in Turkey has been reported previously. However, comparative epizootiological data on the recent prevalence of the WNV infection in various animal species and humans in western Turkey are limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of WNV infection in animals and humans in western Turkey. Four hundred and forty serum samples were collected from 40 cats, 60 cattle, 90 humans and 50 sheep, goats, camels, horses, and broiler breeder chickens between the years 2009 and 2012. The serum samples were tested for antibodies against the envelope protein (E) of the virus using a commercial competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (cELISA). The human samples were re-tested using commercial Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). No antibodies were detected in cats, sheep, goats, and chickens. Seropositivity rates of 44% (22/50) in camels, 32% (16/50) in horses, 20% (12/60) in cattle and 41.1% (37/90) in humans were found. The results of the seropositivity in humans obtained using cELISA and IFAT were identical. These data suggest that the WNV infection may be present subclinically in horses, camels, cattle and humans in western Turkey and may pose a threat to animal and human health in the region and surrounding areas.

Keywords: West Nile Virus; Antibody; ELISA; IFAT; Western Turkey; Camel; Cattle; Horse; Human.
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