Abstract
Aino virus is an infectious, non-contagious, vector-borne agent that has been implicated in arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome in newborn cattle, sheep, and goats. Information about reservoirs and host animal species susceptible to Aino virus remains unclear. To further explore the role of cervids in Aino virus infection transmission, we investigated cervid sera to determine the prevalence of Aino virus-neutralizing antibodies and to identify factors correlated with antibody positivity. We screened cervid serum samples collected in the Republic of Korea to better understand infection patterns in this animal species. Overall, Aino virus infection was widespread; 75 of 716 (10.5%, 95% [95% CI] = 8.4–13.4) farmed-cervid serum samples collected from 292 herds contained antibodies to Aino virus. Serological evidence of Aino virus infection was demonstrated in 5 of 43 free-ranging cervids, accounting for a prevalence rate of ~11.6% (95% CI = 4.6–26.4). Our results revealed that age class and geographic location affected seroprevalence. The main risk factors associated with Aino virus seroprevalence were older age (> 2 years old, OR = 2.221, 95% CI = 1.209–4.079, P = 0.009 in adults), southern provinces (OR = 2.432, 95% CI = 1.445–4.093, P = 0.001), and western provinces (OR = 1.905, 95% CI = 1.041–3.488, P = 0.034). The results in this study suggest that cervid species might serve as important hosts for the transmission of Aino virus, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of Aino virus infections in cervids.
Highlights
Aino virus is an arthropod-borne virus belonging to the Simbu group of the family Peribunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus
Serological evidence of Aino virus infection was found in 5 of 43 free-ranging cervids that were rescued by local rescue parties or were housed at captured wildlife rescue centers, accounting for a serological prevalence of ∼11.6% (Table 2), as determined by serum neutralization test (SNT)
The results in this study demonstrated that Aino virus infection was prevalent among the farmed and free-ranging cervids surveyed; approximately one in 10 animals were infected with the virus
Summary
Aino virus is an arthropod-borne virus belonging to the Simbu group of the family Peribunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus. Or arthrogryposis, unilateral cavitation in the cerebrum, severe hydranencephaly and arthrogryposis, microcephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia can be included in the symptoms of Aino virus. The type of abnormality may be associated with the time of infection of the fetus; early infection is related to hydranencephaly, while later infection is related to arthrogryposis [3,4,5]. It is transmitted by blood-sucking midges and is distributed worldwide in temperate-to-tropical regions, including Asia and Australia [3, 4, 6,7,8,9]
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