RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of West Nile Virus infection in the southern provinces of Morocco. METHODOLOGY: A total of 250 sera, collected during 2012 in the province of Dakhla, were analyzed by microneutralisation assay. RESULTS: WNV-neutralizing antibodies were detected in 13 samples (5.2%). The participants with WNV-specific antibodies were significantly younger than the rest of the population (p = 0.009). The positivity rate was higher among women (6.3%) than men (3.6%) (p = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first serological evidence of WNV infection among humans in the southern provinces of Morocco.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Fiebre del Nilo Occidental/epidemiología , Virus del Nilo Occidental/inmunología , Adolescente , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/sangre , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Marruecos/epidemiología , Pruebas de Neutralización , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Factores Sexuales , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Experimental challenge protocols that consistently reproduce clinical signs of peste des petits ruminants in Alpine goats infected with a tissue culture-passaged peste des petits ruminants virus are described. The protocols can be used to carry out quality-controlled vaccine efficacy and pathogenesis studies under experimental conditions.
Asunto(s)
Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Peste de los Pequeños Rumiantes/patología , Peste de los Pequeños Rumiantes/virología , Virus de la Peste de los Pequeños Rumiantes/patogenicidad , Animales , CabrasRESUMEN
Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) recently caused a serious outbreak of disease in Moroccan sheep and goats. Alpine goats were highly susceptible to PPRV with mortality rates approaching 100%, as opposed to local breeds of sheep which were less susceptible to the disease. The relative susceptibility of alpine goats was investigated through an experimental infection study with the Moroccan strain of PPRV. Severe clinical signs were observed in the alpine goats with virus being excreted through ocular, nasal and oral routes. No difference in the severity of the disease in goats was observed with different inoculation routes and transmission of the virus by direct contact was confirmed. This study confirmed the susceptibility of the alpine goat to PPRV infection and describes a challenge protocol that effectively and consistently reproduced severe clinical signs of PPR in experimentally infected goats.