Csenge Hanna Tolnai, Petra Forgách, András Marosi, Orsolya Fehér, Bettina Paszerbovics, Miklós Tenk, Zsombor Wagenhoffer, Orsolya Kutasi
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Abstract
Background
In the last three decades, West Nile virus (WNV, Flaviviridae, Orthoflavivirus genus) has become one of the most important encephalitic agents worldwide, causing substantial numbers of cases in humans and horses every year by re-emerging in endemic areas and emerging in new territories. It is considered that after natural WNV infection, humans and birds develop long-term immunoprotection, but data on immunoprotection in horses is scarce.
Hypothesis
West Nile virus infection provides long-term humoral immunity in subclinically infected horses.
In this prospective cohort study, anti-WNV neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers of 25 horses were monitored for 5 consecutive years in Hungary. Serum samples were collected annually. First, a WNV immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA was performed, followed by virus neutralization tests (VNT) for endemic orthoflaviviruses. A VNT titer > 8 was considered positive.
Results
The mean WNV titer of horses was 260.64 ± 336.74 in 2019, 114.32 ± 107.36 in 2020, 95.38 ± 115.56 in 2021, 22.53 ± 25.71 in 2022 and 6.31 ± 5.15 in 2023. A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the nAb titers occurred over time. In 2023, 88% of the horses had WNV VNT titers below the cut-off value.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance
Our results showed a significant decrease in WNV titers over time. Because nAbs correlate best with orthoflavivirus protection, our findings suggest that horses might not be protected against re-infection. We recommend regular nAb titer testing or vaccination in endemic areas.
期刊介绍：
The mission of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine is to advance veterinary medical knowledge and improve the lives of animals by publication of authoritative scientific articles of animal diseases.
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