Abstract
Simple SummaryVaccination is the primary method of reducing the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in horses but clinical disease is not fully prevented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological parameters, including the leukocyte population and the serum protein electrophoretic pattern of horses subjected to two-dose vaccine administration with inactivated WNV. Vaccine-related changes in lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, serum total proteins, α1-, α-2-, β- and γ-globulin fractions are found. This study aimed to evaluate the hematological and serum protein electrophoretic profiles of horses after inactivated West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine administration. Blood samples were collected from 10 horses before (T0), after 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks (T1I, T2I, T3I, T4I, T5I and T6I) from the first WNV vaccine-dose administration, before the vaccine-booster (TPREII), and after 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks (T1I I, T2II, T3II, T4II, T5II, T6II) from the WNV vaccine-booster. There was a significant increase in lymphocytes and a decrease in neutrophils after both the first vaccine-dose and vaccine-booster administration compared to the baseline values (p < 0.01). Monocytes showed higher values after 72 h, 1 week and 2 weeks from the vaccine-booster (p < 0.01). Higher serum total protein values were found in horses after both the first vaccine-dose and booster administration (p < 0.05). α1-lobulins increased after the vaccine-booster with the highest levels measured at T4II (p < 0.05); α-2- and β-globulin fractions increased throughout the post-vaccine period compared to the baseline values (p < 0.05); and higher γ-globulin values were found before the vaccine-booster (TPREII) and after 24 h, 72 h and 3 weeks from the vaccine-booster (T1II, T3II and T6II). The findings allow us to conclude that the WNV vaccine used in the current study does not alter the overall hemogram picture of horses although it is associated with modulation of leukocyte populations and the serum protein electrophoretic pattern.
Highlights
In view of the above considerations, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological parameters including leukocyte population and the serum protein electrophoretic pattern of horses subjected to two-dose vaccine administration with inactivated West Nile virus (WNV)
Statistical analysis showed no changes in the main hematological parameters measured in vaccinated horses compared to pre-vaccine values (p > 0.05)
T4II (p < 0.05); α-2- and β-globulin fractions showed higher levels throughout the post-vaccine period compared to T0 (p < 0.05); and higher γ-globulin values were found before the vaccine-booster (TPREII) and after 24 h, 72 h and 3 weeks from the vaccinebooster administration (T1II, T3II and T6II)
Summary
The neurotropic flavivirus, West Nile virus (WNV) is a viral zoonotic disease that is considered a re-emerging public health challenge in European countries [1]. Countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea share common public health threats, and vector-borne diseases, in particular, mosquito-borne viral diseases are prime candidates as re-emerging diseases that are likely to spread across the area. WNV infection was first diagnosed in horses in the United States in 1999 and is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of horses presenting with signs of neurologic disease in all areas of North America. West Nile virus, a flavivirus, was first identified as a cause of infection and fatal encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain) in horses and people in Egypt, Uganda and France in the early 1960s
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