Read A J, Finlaison D S, Gu X, Hick P M, Moloney B J, Wright T, Kirkland P D
Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture Institute, Menangle, New South Wales, Australia.
School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.
Aust Vet J. 2019 May;97(5):133-143. doi: 10.1111/avj.12810.
Between February and June 2011, more than 300 horses with unexplained neurological disease were observed in New South Wales, Australia. A virulent strain of West Nile virus (WNV ), of Australian origin, was shown to be the cause of many of these cases.
We reviewed the clinical descriptions provided by veterinary practitioners and the associated laboratory results. Although there was a range of clinical signs described, ataxia was the only sign that was consistently described in laboratory-confirmed cases.
WNV was detected in brain samples by real-time reverse transcription PCR assay and virus isolation. For serological confirmation of clinical cases, an equine IgM ELISA specific for WNV was shown to be the most effective tool.
A state-wide serological survey undertaken after the outbreak indicated that, contrary to expectation, although infection had been widespread, the seroprevalence of antibodies to WNV was very low, suggesting that there could be a significant risk of future disease outbreaks.
2011年2月至6月期间，在澳大利亚新南威尔士州观察到300多匹马患有不明原因的神经系统疾病。一种源自澳大利亚的西尼罗河病毒（WNV）强毒株被证明是其中许多病例的病因。
我们回顾了兽医提供的临床描述及相关实验室结果。尽管描述了一系列临床症状，但共济失调是实验室确诊病例中唯一始终出现的症状。
通过实时逆转录PCR检测和病毒分离在脑样本中检测到WNV。对于临床病例的血清学确诊，一种针对WNV的马IgM ELISA被证明是最有效的工具。
疫情爆发后进行的全州血清学调查表明，与预期相反，尽管感染已广泛传播，但WNV抗体的血清阳性率非常低，这表明未来可能有重大疾病爆发风险。
