[Circulation of West Nile virus (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) and some other arboviruses in the ecosystems of Volga delta, Volga-Akhtuba flood-lands and adjoining arid regions (2000-2002)]

Vopr Virusol. 2004 May-Jun;49(3):45-51.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

Comprehensive virological, serological as well as genetic studies of the ecology of West Nile Virus (WNV) as well as of some other arboviruses were undertaken in different ecosystems in the territories of the Astrakhan Region and of the Kalmyk Republic. The main carriers (mosquitoes, ticks, birds and mammals) were defined as involved in the circulation of viruses within the natural and anthropogenic biocenosis. Phylogenetic examinations of isolated strains and samples, which were positive in RT-PCR, showed an absolute predominance of genotype I virus that was most closely related to American and Israeli strains. At the same time, epidemic strains had up to 6% of nucleotide differences versus the historic strains isolated in the same region 20-30 years ago. Besides, the circulation of genotype IV was discovered; it was characterized by a lower pathogenicity, which, possibly, ensures the shaping of a pronounced immune interlayer bearing no epidemic consequences. An analysis of the study results on the WNV ecology denotes the epicenter of the endemic territory located in the middle part of the Volga delta.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Arbovirus Infections / blood
  • Arbovirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Arbovirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Arbovirus Infections / virology
  • Arboviruses / isolation & purification*
  • Birds / virology
  • Bunyamwera virus / isolation & purification
  • Culicidae / virology
  • Disease Reservoirs*
  • Disease Vectors*
  • Ecology
  • Ecosystem
  • Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Ixodidae / virology
  • Mammals / virology
  • Phylogeny
  • Russia / epidemiology
  • Thogotovirus / isolation & purification
  • West Nile Fever / blood
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
  • West Nile Fever / veterinary*
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification*
  • West Nile virus / pathogenicity
  • West Nile virus / physiology*
  • Zoonoses

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral