Sero-molecular epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis virus in swine population of western Uttar Pradesh, India: Unraveling the geographical expansion of the virus.

Abstract

Swine is a good sentinel for forecast of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) outbreaks in humans. The present study was envisaged with objectives to know the sero-conversion period of JEV and to assess the prevalence of JEV in swine population of western Uttar Pradesh state of India. A total of 252 swine serum samples were screened using IgM ELISA over the period of one year to determine the sero-conversion rate and compared seasonally to check the transmission peak of virus. Further, 321 swine blood and serum samples were collected from all seven divisions of western Uttar Pradesh to determine prevalence of JEV using real time RT-PCR and ELISA. Seasonal sero-conversion rate was high during monsoon and post-monsoon (32%) followed by winter (22.91%) and summer (10.71%) seasons. The sero-conversion was observed in all months indicating viral activity throughout the year in the region. The low degree of correlation was found between meteorological variables (day temperature, rainfall) and sero-conversion rate. A total of 52 samples (16.19%) were found positive by real time RT-PCR while sero-positivity of 29.91% was observed using IgG and IgM ELISA(s). The overall prevalence of JEV was 39.25%. The presence of JEV was recorded throughout the year with peak occurrence during monsoon and post-monsoon season indicating that virus has spread its realm to western region of the state. The information generated in the present study will aid in initiating timely vector control measures and human vaccination program to mitigate risk of JEV infection in the region.