Frontiers in microbiology · 2026
Detection and genomic characterization of West Nile virus lineage 2 in captive harbor seals in southern Italy.
СтатьяНазвание и аннотация: Перевод в очереди
Обработка статьи · этапы, ошибки и управление
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Ошибки и ограничения
История · было → стало
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de Martinis Claudio, Cardillo Lorena, Giovanetti Marta, Pucciarelli Alessia, Picazio Gerardo, Viscardi Maurizio, Cozzolino Loredana, Cavaliere Sara, Napolitano Alessia, Lella Maria, Dimatteo Maria, Degli Uberti Barbara, Silvestre Pasquale, Di Napoli Evaristo, D'Alessio Nicola, De Carlo Esterina, WNV One Health Surveillance Network, Galiero Giorgio, Iovane Giuseppe, Paciello Orlando, Fusco Giovanna
Аннотация
INTRODUCTION: West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus maintained in bird-mosquito cycles, with occasional spillover events causing neuroinvasive disease in humans and animals. This study describes two fatal cases of WNV lineage 2 infection in captive harbor seals housed in a zoological park in southern Italy, together with genomic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the detected strains.
METHODS: Harbor seals were tested using multiplex real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the simultaneous detection of WNV lineage 1 and lineage 2. Selected extracts were further analyzed by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Next-generation sequencing was performed, and the resulting sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light trap was used for targeted mosquito collection near the fence of the dead harbor seals, and female mosquitoes were screened for WNV. Histopathological examination was also performed in one seal.
RESULTS: WNV lineage 2 RNA was detected in central nervous system tissues of both seals and in a pool of female Culex pipiens collected near the fence. Near-complete WNV genomes clustered with contemporary southern Italian strains and were consistent with local viral circulation.
DISCUSSION: These findings document WNV lineage 2 infection associated with fatal neurological disease in harbor seals, expanding current knowledge of the host range of this virus and providing complementary in situ entomological and genomic evidence. Overall, this study highlights the value of an integrated One Health surveillance approach in zoological parks.
METHODS: Harbor seals were tested using multiplex real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the simultaneous detection of WNV lineage 1 and lineage 2. Selected extracts were further analyzed by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Next-generation sequencing was performed, and the resulting sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light trap was used for targeted mosquito collection near the fence of the dead harbor seals, and female mosquitoes were screened for WNV. Histopathological examination was also performed in one seal.
RESULTS: WNV lineage 2 RNA was detected in central nervous system tissues of both seals and in a pool of female Culex pipiens collected near the fence. Near-complete WNV genomes clustered with contemporary southern Italian strains and were consistent with local viral circulation.
DISCUSSION: These findings document WNV lineage 2 infection associated with fatal neurological disease in harbor seals, expanding current knowledge of the host range of this virus and providing complementary in situ entomological and genomic evidence. Overall, this study highlights the value of an integrated One Health surveillance approach in zoological parks.