Evidence of West Nile Virus Circulation in Lebanon |
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| Authors: | René e Zakhia,Alan P. Dupuis,II,Fayç al Khodr,Mahdi Fadel,Laura D. Kramer,Nabil Haddad |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Laboratory of Immunology and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Fanar 6573/14, Lebanon; (R.Z.); (F.K.); (M.F.);2.Arbovirus Laboratories, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12159, USA; (A.P.D.II); (L.D.K.);3.Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA |
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| Abstract: | West Nile virus (WNV) has never been reported from Lebanon. Yet, this country is located on the flyway of migratory birds in the Middle East region. Serological screening was conducted to assess the potential circulation of this virus. Human, horse, and chicken sera were collected from the Bekaa and North districts. Specific IgG and IgY were first screened by ELISA. Then, positive samples were confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Besides this, adult mosquitoes were collected and tested for the presence of WNV RNA using conventional RT-PCR. Sera screening revealed a seroprevalence rate reaching 1.86% among humans and 2.47% among horses. Cross-reactions revealed by ELISA suggested the circulation of flaviviruses other than WNV. None of the tested mosquitoes was positive for WNV. The observed results constitute strong evidence of local exposure of the Lebanese population to this virus and the first report of equine WNV in Lebanon. |
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| Keywords: | Lebanon Middle East West Nile virus flavivirus seroprevalence neutralization |
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