title: Serological, molecular and entomological surveillance demonstrates widespread circulation of West Nile virus in Turkey.
abstract: West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus with significant impact on human and animal health, has recently demonstrated an expanded zone of activity globally. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency and distribution of WNV infections in potential vectors and several mammal and avian species in Turkey, where previous data indicate viral circulation. The study was conducted in 15 provinces across Turkey during 2011-2013. In addition, the entomological study was extended to 4 districts of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. WNV exposure was determined in humans, horses, sheep and ducks from Mersin, Sanliurfa, Van and Kars provinces of Turkey, via the detection of neutralizing antibodies. WNV RNA was sought in human and equine samples from Mersin, Adana and Mugla provinces. Field-collected mosquitoes from 92 sites at 46 locations were characterized morphologically and evaluated for viral RNA. Neutralizing antibodies were identified in 10.5% of the 1180 samples studied and detected in all species evaluated. Viral nucleic acids were observed in 5.9% of 522 samples but only in horses. A total of 2642 mosquito specimens belonging to 15 species were captured, where Ochlerotatus caspius (52.4%), Culex pipiens sensu lato (24.2%) comprise the most frequent species. WNV RNA was detected in 4 mosquito pools (1.9%), that comprise Oc. caspius Cx. pipiens s.l. and DNA barcoding revealed the presence of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. perexiguus mosquitoes in infected Culex pools. All WNV partial sequences were characterized as lineage 1 clade 1a. These findings indicate a widespread WNV activity in Turkey, in Eastern Thrace and Mediterranean-Aegean regions as well as Southeastern and Northeastern Anatolia.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology Unit, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Koray
authors: K
authors: Ergunay
authors: Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Division of Ecology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Filiz
authors: F
authors: Gunay
authors: Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Division of Ecology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Ozge
authors: O
authors: Erisoz Kasap
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Kerem
authors: K
authors: Oter
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Sepandar
authors: S
authors: Gargari
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Taner
authors: T
authors: Karaoglu
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
authors: Seda
authors: S
authors: Tezcan
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Harran University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Cabalar
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Kafkas University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Yakup
authors: Y
authors: Yildirim
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
authors: Gürol
authors: G
authors: Emekdas
authors: Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Division of Ecology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Bulent
authors: B
authors: Alten
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Aykut
authors: A
authors: Ozkul
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000821:virology*; D009033:Culicidae / Q000821:virology*; D006736:Horses / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D014902:West Nile virus