Open Access
Research (Published online: 30-05-2023)
30. West Nile virus: The current situation in Egypt
Rabab T. Hassanien, Heba A. Hussein, Hala K. Abdelmegeed, Dina A. Abdelwahed, Omnia M. Khattab, M. H. Ali, Ahmed R. Habashi, Essam M. Ibraheem, Momtaz A. Shahein, and Eman M. Abohatab
Veterinary World, 16(5): 1154-1160

Rabab T. Hassanien: Department of Virology, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt.
Heba A. Hussein: Department of Virology, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt.
Hala K. Abdelmegeed: Department of Virology, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt.
Dina A. Abdelwahed: Department of Virology, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt.
Omnia M. Khattab: Genome Unit, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt.
M. H. Ali: Department of Virology, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt; Virus Strain Bank, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt.
Ahmed R. Habashi: Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand; One Health Research Center, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
Essam M. Ibraheem: Department of Pathology, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt.
Momtaz A. Shahein: Department of Virology, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt.
Eman M. Abohatab: Department of Virology, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, 12618, Giza, Egypt.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1154-1160

Article history: Received: 14-01-2023, Accepted: 19-04-2023, Published online: 30-05-2023

Corresponding authors: Rabab T. Hassanien

E-mail: dr_rababtaha@yahoo.com

Citation: Hassanien RT, Hussein HA, Abdelmegeed HK, Abdelwahed DA, Khattab OM, Ali MH, Habashi AR, Ibraheem EM, Shahein MA, and Abohatab EM (2023) West Nile virus: The current situation in Egypt, Veterinary World, 16(5): 1154-1160.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Due to climatic changes, arthropod-borne viruses have become a global health concern. In Egypt, West Nile virus (WNV) was initially detected in humans in 1950 and then in 1951, 1954, 1968, and 1989. Although WNV infection has been recorded in numerous Middle Eastern countries, its prevalence among the equine population in Egypt is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the current situation of vector-borne WNV in Egypt, estimate its seroprevalence, and assess the associated risk factors.

Materials and Methods: We screened 1100 sera samples and nasal swabs from the same equids, 156 mosquito pools, and 336 oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs from migratory birds for WNV. The sera were investigated for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) against WNV-prE. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect WNV RNA in the nasal swab samples, mosquito pools, and migratory birds’ oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs.

Results: The seroprevalence showed positive IgG in sera samples collected from different districts. The data showed that horses were 1.65-fold more susceptible than donkeys, with male being 1.45 times more susceptible than females. Moreover, the tested equids samples were divided into three groups based on their age: <5 years, 5–10 years, and >10 years. The 5–10- year group was 1.1 and 1.61 times more vulnerable to infection than the <5- and >10 year groups. All the sera samples were negative for IgM. The nasal swabs from equids, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs from migratory birds, and mosquito samples tested negative for WNV by molecular detection.

Conclusion: Based on the obtained data, we recommend that effective control programs should be implemented to enable epidemiological investigations and understand the current situation of WNV in Egypt.

Keywords: climatic changes, flaviviruses, seroprevalence, West Nile virus.