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Abstract：
This study reports on a fatal case of a captive great grey owl infected with the West Nile virus (WNV) in the zoological garden Košice, eastern Slovakia (Central Europe). The tissue samples of the dead owl were used for virus isolation and genetic characterization. The novel isolate is genetically closer to Hungarian, Greek, and Bulgarian strains from the central/southern European clade of lineage 2 than to the strains previously isolated in Slovakia. Interestingly, it carries NS3-249P, a molecular virulence determinant associated with higher neurovirulence, which has not previously been observed in Slovakia. Subsequent serological investigation of the captive owls revealed additional seropositive animals, indicating local WNV transmission. Although no WNV-positive mosquitoes were found, the presence of the WNV principal vector Culex pipiens complex together with the described fatal case and further serological findings indicate an endemic focus of bird-neurovirulent WNV variant in the area.
摘要：
这项研究报告了在动物园Košice感染了西尼罗河病毒（WNV）的圈养大灰猫头鹰的致命病例，斯洛伐克东部（中欧）。死亡猫头鹰的组织样品用于病毒分离和遗传表征。这种新型分离株在基因上更接近匈牙利，希腊语,来自中欧/南欧2系的保加利亚菌株比以前在斯洛伐克分离的菌株要多。有趣的是,它携带NS3-249P，与较高神经毒力相关的分子毒力决定因素，这是以前在斯洛伐克没有观察到的。随后对圈养猫头鹰的血清学调查显示，还有其他血清反应阳性的动物，指示本地WNV传输。尽管没有发现WNV阳性蚊子，WNV主要载体淡色库蚊复合体的存在以及所描述的致命病例和进一步的血清学发现表明该地区鸟类神经毒性WNV变异的地方性焦点。
