The genotyping of the West Nile virus in birds in the far eastern region of Russia in 2002-2004
Ternovoĭ, V.A.; Protopopova, E.V.; Surmach, S.G.; Gazetdinov, M.V.; Zolotykh, S.I.; Shestopalov, A.M.; Pavlenko, E.V.; Leonova, G.N.; Loktev, V.B.
Molekuliarnaia Genetika Mikrobiologiia i Virusologiia 2006(4): 30-35
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0208-0613 PMID: 17094656 Document Number: 603169
Samples from 20 species of trapped and dead birds were collected in the Far Eastern Region in 2002-2004 and were analyzed by the anti-WNV MAb-modified immunoenzyme assay for antigen detection and RT-PCR for viral RNA detection. Five positive samples from cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) and two positive samples from cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) were found in both tests. The sequencing of the 322 bp fragments of protein E gene showed 99-99.67% homology with the strain WNV/LEIV-VlgOO-27924 of the WNV isolated in Volgograd, Russia, 2000. Additionally, five positive samples from birds (Pica pica, Corvus macrorhynchos, Larus crossirostris, Parus minor, Emberiza spodocephala) collected in autumn 2004 were found during screening with, anti-WNV MAb-modified ELISA. These results confirm that the WNV is circulating in the Far Eastern Region of Russia and outbreaks of WN fever in humans may be possible. This demonstrates that the genotype la. of the West Nile virus could spread in the southern regions of the Far East by migrating birds and introduction of the WNV into other southern regions of the Asian part of Russia are probably.