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Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 81(1), 2009, pp. 177-179
Copyright © 2009 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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SHORT REPORT


Changes in West Nile Virus Seroprevalence and Antibody Titers among Wisconsin Mesopredators 2003–2006

Douglas E. Docherty*, Michael D. Samuel, Kristina F. Egstad, Kathryn M. Griffin, Cherrie A. Nolden, Lovkesh Karwal, AND Hon S. Ip
United States Geological Survey, Madison, Wisconsin; University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

 

ABSTRACT

After the 2001 occurrence of West Nile virus (WNV) in Wisconsin (WI), we collected sera, during 2003–2006, from south-central WI mesopredators. We tested these sera to determine WNV antibody prevalence and geometric mean antibody titer (GMAT). Four-fold higher antibody prevalence and 2-fold higher GMAT in 2003–2004 indicated greater exposure of mesopredators to WNV during the apparent epizootic phase. The period 2005–2006 was likely the enzootic phase because WNV antibody prevalence fell to a level similar to other flaviviruses. Our results suggest that, in mesopredators, vector-borne transmission is the primary route of infection and WNV antibodies persist for < 1 year. Mesopredators may be sensitive indicators of West Nile virus spill-over into humans and horses. Mesopredator sero-surveys may complement dead crow surveillance by providing additional data for the timing of public health interventions. Research is needed to clarify the dynamics of WNV infection in these mammals and their role as potential WNV amplifiers.

Received September 2, 2008. Accepted for publication March 10, 2009.

Acknowledgments: We thank E. Berkley, J. Hann, M. Meade, C. Nebur, M. St. Martin, A. Powers, J. Sontag, and S. Wright for field and laboratory assistance. We appreciate the technical reviews of B. Dusek and E. Hofmeister.

Financial and logistic support: The study was supported by the Wisconsin Trappers Association, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), and Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation.

Disclaimer: Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U. S. Geological Survey, state of Wisconsin, or Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation.

* Address correspondence to Douglas E. Docherty, United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711. E-mail: ddocherty{at}usgs.gov

Authors’ addresses: Douglas E. Docherty, Kristina F. Egstad, Kathryn M. Griffin, Lovkesh Karwal, and Hon S. Ip, United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Rd., Madison, WI 53711, Tel: (608) 270-2400, Fax: (608) 270-2415, E-mails: ddocherty{at}usgs.gov, kegstad{at}usgs.gov, kgriffin{at}usgs.gov, lkarwal{at}usgs.gov, and hip{at}usgs.gov. Michael D. Samuel, United States Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Rd., Madison, WI 53711, Tel: (608) 270-2400, Fax: (608) 270-2415, and United States Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, Tel: (608) 263-6882, E-mail: msamuel{at}usgs.gov. Cherrie A. Nolden, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, Tel: (608) 263-6882, E-mail: sedwicknps{at}yahoo.com.






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Copyright © 2009 by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.