Serologic survey of potential vertebrate hosts for West Nile virus in Poland

Viral Immunol. 2008 Jun;21(2):247-53. doi: 10.1089/vim.2007.0111.

Abstract

A survey for antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV; genus ,Flavivirus) was carried out by plaque-re-duction neutralization microtesting in 78 horses, 20 domestic chickens, and 97 wild birds belonging to 10 species from different areas in Poland. Specific antibodies were detected in five juvenile (hatching-year) birds collected in 2006: three white storks (Ciconia ciconia) in a wildlife rehabilitation center (5.4% of all examined storks; the antibody titers in each bird were 1:320, 1:160, and 1:20), one free-living mute swan (Cygnus olor; the titer was 1:20), and one hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix; the titer 1:20) in a wildlife rehabilitation center; thus the overall seropositivity to WNV was 5.2% among all the birds sampled. These data do not rule out the presence of WNV activity in Poland with 100% certainty, but they indicate a significant trace that demands verification. In addition, one black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) had neutralizing antibodies for the Usutu Flavivirus, the first case recorded in Poland.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Birds
  • Chickens
  • Horses
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Viral Plaque Assay
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology*
  • West Nile Fever / immunology*
  • West Nile virus / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral