Countries Of Mediterranean Basin Research Articles

Current status of pistachio diseases in countries of the Mediterranean Basin

AbstractIn the Mediterranean Basin, the pistachio crop is considered an emerging nut crop due to the dependence of the European nut markets on international imports. Consequently, the extension and intensification of pistachio production to nontraditional growing areas has promoted both classic and emerging diseases of this nut tree, which are limiting factors in crop production. Due to the limited interest in pistachio crops, the aetiology and epidemiology of the main pistachio diseases are poorly studied. Thus, this review summarizes the state of pistachio disease research, with particular attention given to the Mediterranean area. The information reported here is based not only on the literature, but also the advancement of our research on pistachio diseases conducted in both Italy and Spain. We describe the main fungal diseases of the tree canopy in Mediterranean countries, such as Botryosphaeria panicle and shoot blight, Septoria leaf spot, and stem, branch and trunk canker diseases, followed by the main soilborne diseases. In addition, we review minor and/or sporadic fungal diseases originating in not only the Mediterranean, but also other pistachio‐producing countries. Another section is dedicated to other diseases caused by bacteria, phytoplasmas, viruses and nematodes. Finally, we summarize the main control strategies adopted in Mediterranean Basin countries against pistachio diseases.

Chloroplast microsatellite diversity of Pinus brutia Ten. and Pinus halepensis Mill. populations across the Mediterranean basin: Inferences of their distributions

Aim of study: To characterize and compare the genetic resources and gain some insights into the evolutionary history of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) and Brutia pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) species which are both distributed across more than 8 million hectares of area in the Mediterranean Basin.
 Study area: Fifty-six populations from eight Mediterranean basin countries where P. halepensis and P. brutia species are located.
 Materials and methods: We analyzed 1344 seeds belonging to 56 populations using five cpSSR primers (Pt15169, Pt30204, Pt41093, Pt87268, and Pt110048).
 Main results: The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the genetic diversity among the Brutia pine populations was slightly higher than that of Aleppo pine (27.06% and 24.27%, respectively). The Aleppo pine populations separately displayed a clear east-west differentiation across the Mediterranean Basin, confirming previous results using other markers. Although the Brutia pine populations showed no spatial genetic pattern, geographically close populations and/or populations from their continual distribution range were genetically closer than the fragmented and/or ecologically marginal populations.
 Research highlights: The seven Aleppo pine populations from the eastern range (Türkiye, Greece, and Italy) were more than two-fold diverse than the 13 populations from the western range (Spain and Morocco). The eastern range of Aleppo pine and Brutia pine populations had similar levels of genetic diversity parameters. These results suggested that the Eastern Mediterranean Basin is a possible genetic diversity center for the two pine species.

L’olivier, une richesse méditerranéenne au prix d’une allergie complexe

The olive tree (Olea europea L.) is a characteristic tree of Mediterranean basin countries, responsible for the most frequent pollinosis. This pollinosis is influenced by climate change, which can anticipate flowering dates, increase the quantity of pollen produced, and the pollen season length. The occurrence of olive pollinosis mainly depends on HLA class II, IL-13 and IL-4RA genes; and environment factors, such as socioeconomic and nutritional status, physical activity and exposure to different stimuli. Among deferent categories of molecular allergens involved in olive pollinosis, Ole e 1 is the main allergen, and the presence of homology between these allergens, and those of other species from the Oleaceae family and other different taxons (Poaceae), is responsible for cross-reactions. Polysensitization is a major challenge in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach and highlights the importance of using molecular allergens in the pollinosis diagnostic. Furthermore, allergy to the olive tree has nowadays benefited from progress in specific immunotherapy, thanks in particular to the development of a strategy based on allergenic peptides as an alternative to whole olive tree pollen extracts.

Acute Abdominal Pain: Peritoneal and Hepatic Hydatidosis

A hydatid cyst is a worldwide parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus. It is a public health issue in highly endemic countries, occurring in the countries of the Mediterranean basin, North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia), South America, Central Europe, and Asian countries ( 1 Van Cauteren D Millon L de Valk H Grenouillet F. Retrospective study of human cystic echinococcosis over the past decade in France, using a nationwide hospital medical information database. Parasitol Res. 2016; 115: 4261-4265 Crossref Scopus (22) Google Scholar ).

INTEGRATED APPROACH USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM AND MULTI CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS METHOD FOR FOREST FIRE RISK MAPPING IN NORTHWESTERN ALGERIA

In recent years, the forest ecosystems of Mediterranean basin countries such as Algeria have experienced massive degradation as a result of fires that continue to destroy forest areas from year to year. Yearly, 36000 ha are burned due to fires, with over 13414 ha burned in 2017. Approximately 29 percent of Algeria's forest cover is located in the western part of the country, where fires continue to be the most threatening factor. With regard to this critical situation, actions must be taken as urgently as possible to fight against this phenomenon. The assessment and the mapping of the Forest Fires Risk (FFR) to highlight vulnerable areas appear to be the most efficient ways. Last years, several models were developed to assess the forest fire risk each of which involves a certain number of parameters which influence differently on the fire spread. The evolution of geospatial techniques such as geographic information systems (GIS) and Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods have effectively improved solving this type of problem. In this paper we aim to assess the risk of forest fires using GIS-based MCDA model. The approach consists, in the first step, of a spatialization of the FFR parameters by integrating different factors into a GIS. In the second step, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) MCDA method was used to calculate et assign weights to each factor to produce a FFR potential map. The obtained FFR map shows that 28.87% and 25% of the study area is dominated by Moderate and High FFR. The spatial analysis of the produced map with the actual fires limit reveals a significant correlation through an overall accuracy of 62.60%. This study is carried out in the forest of Nesmoth located in the Mascara province in northwestern Algeria. The obtained results show that the combination of GIS and MCDA methods can be a very useful tool for forest managers and decision-makers in reducing fire risk.

Autochthonous transmission of Leishmania donovani and Leishmania major with all the components of infection cycle at Europe's doorstep

Objectives: Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease and dogs may act as urban reservoirs. Turkey and most of the Mediterranean basin countries are endemic for leishmaniasis. In this study, it is aimed to report the autochthonous leishmaniasis cases, with all the components of the infection cycle (reservoir, vector, and the host) in a region close to Europe. Methods: Nine human and four canine autochthonous leishmaniasis cases were included in the study. Direct microscopy, culture methods, serological, and molecular tests were applied to the samples obtained from the cases. Results: VL and CL patients consisted of 2 L.infantum, 1 L. donovani, 2 L. tropica, and 2 L. tropica,1 L. major,1 L. infantum infected patients respectively. CanL cases were infected with L. infantum, L. donovani, L. tropica, and L. major. Conclusions: All the cases were autochthonous cases located in Manisa province. As Greece and all the Mediterranean basin countries in Europe share competent vectors, it is concluded that the detection of all 4 species of Leishmania parasites in such proximity to Europe poses an important public health threat for Europe. This study reports all four species of Leishmania spp., including L. major and L.donovani in close proximity to continental Europe.

Atlas of phenotypic, genotypic and geographical diversity present in the European traditional tomato.

The Mediterranean basin countries are considered secondary centres of tomato diversification. However, information on phenotypic and allelic variation of local tomato materials is still limited. Here we report on the evaluation of the largest traditional tomato collection, which includes 1499 accessions from Southern Europe. Analyses of 70 traits revealed a broad range of phenotypic variability with different distributions among countries, with the culinary end use within each country being the main driver of tomato diversification. Furthermore, eight main tomato types (phenoclusters) were defined by integrating phenotypic data, country of origin, and end use. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analyses identified associations in 211 loci, 159 of which were novel. The multidimensional integration of phenoclusters and the GWAS meta-analysis identified the molecular signatures for each traditional tomato type and indicated that signatures originated from differential combinations of loci, which in some cases converged in the same tomato phenotype. Our results provide a roadmap for studying and exploiting this untapped tomato diversity.

Circulation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Wastewater in Mediterranean Basin Countries: A Review

Circulation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Wastewater in Mediterranean Basin Countries: A Review

The Mediterranean Sea Basin as a Single Ecosystem: Problems and Prospects for International Cooperation

The article justifies that the Mediterranean Basin in the broad sense (Mediterranean, Black, Azov and Marmara Seas) is a single ecosystem. The state of this ecosystem is affected by the rivers of this water intake basin, among them - the Nile, Tiber, Po, Rhone, Ebro, Danube, Don and others. The interconnection of the individual elements of the ecosystem is ensured through active water exchange and a sufficiently branched system of currents that turn the inland seas of the Mediterranean basin into communicating vessels. The paper analyzes the main anthropogenic factors, as well as the influence of climate changes on the ecological condition of the Mediterranean ecosystem. Within the framework of anthropogenic impact, special attention is paid to the negative impact of urbanization, the oil industry (production, transportation and oil refining), industrial and agricultural waste, as well as runoff waters. The problem of plastic, as well as contamination with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is discussed in detail. Analysis of DDT accumulations in the bottom sediments of the Mediterranean basin makes it possible to study the synchronization of anthropogenic processes and their long-term nature. Aridization (intensification of droughts) in the Mediterranean is shown as an important problem for the regional ecology, not directly related to the anthropogenic factor. The article reveals the disastrous effects of increasing droughts and climate change on Mediterranean basin countries. International cooperation to regulate transboundary environmental problems in the region is associated with a number of problems. Among them is the delimitation of sea zones between countries, first of all - the territorial claims of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. The problem of the shelf around the Serpents Island in the Black Sea is also considered, as well as territorial disputes in the Western Mediterranean (France/Spain). The paper widely presents successful cases of cross-boundary cooperation: the 1976 RAMOGE Agreement, the 1975 Mediterranean Action Plan and the 1995 Barcelona Convention, as well as its seven protocols. The cases of PEGASO and 4GreenInn projects, as well as the BSEC environmental projects, are considered as successful examples of cross-border academic cooperation. Promising areas of cooperation are outlined and the conclusion is made about the importance of transboundary environmental risk management, despite the political differences between the Mediterranean countries and the EU sanctions restrictions on Russia after 2014.

Valorization of Solanum Elaeagnifolium Cavanilles Weeds as a New Lignocellulosic Source for the Formulation of Lignin-Urea-Formaldehyde Wood Adhesive

ABSTRACT Solanum Elaeagnifolium Cavanilles (SE-Cav) is an invasive plant that has been developed in Mediterranean basin countries especially in Morocco. This weeds which belongs to lignocellulosic biomass allows possibility to insulate lignin. This work attempts to isolate lignin from SE-Cav applying alkali treatment. The obtained lignin was characterized by different complementary analysis (FT-IR; 1H NMR; 13C NMR; EDX-SEM and TGA/DTG). On the other hand, lignin was subjected to wood adhesive formulation as partial substitution to urea-formaldehyde (UF). Lignin to UF ratio was (5:95, 10:90, 15:85 and 20:80; w:w). Particleboards bonded with optimal lignin: UF (15:85; w:w) adhesive exhibited excellent mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture and internal bond strength) compared to other formulations and control (lignin:UF, 0:100; w:w). Besides, the optimal formulation shows the same behaviours in wet conditions compared to control UF. Moreover, particleboards bonded with the optimal formulation lignin: UF (15:85; w:w) showed a significant decrease in formaldehyde emission levels as compared to control UF.

Akdeniz Ülkelerinin Destinasyon Rekabetçilik Performanslarının Analizi: MAIRCA ve MARCOS Yöntemleri ile Bir Uygulama

In this research, the destination competitiveness performances of these countries were measured by MAIRCA and MARCOS methods over the values of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) components of 19 Mediterranean basin countries for 2019. According to the findings, it was observed that Spain, France, Italy and Portugal were among the top four countries with the highest destination competitiveness performance, while Tunisia, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Algeria were among the last four countries within the scope of both methods. In addition, it has been determined that the destination competitiveness performance values ofthe countries within the scope of TTCI are more positively related to the destination competitiveness performance values of the countries determined by the MARCOS method compared to the MAIRCA method. Therefore, according to this result, it was concluded that TTCI can be better explained with the MARCOS method compared to the MAIRCA method.

Feeding and Oviposition Behaviour of Trioza erytreae (Hemiptera: Triozidae) on Different Citrus Rootstock Material Available in Europe.

Simple SummaryThe Mediterranean Basin is the second largest citrus-producing region in the world. Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most important and devastating citrus disease worldwide, the causal agents of which are three bacteria species that belong to the genus Candidatus Liberibacter. The main transmission of these three bacteria is by two psyllid vectors, Diaphorina citri and Trioza erytreae. Trioza erytreae is a specific pest of plants from the Rutaceae family, which includes cultivated citrus. This insect has recently been detected in Mediterranean Basin countries, such as Spain and Portugal, but none of the causal agents of HLB have been described as infecting citrus plants in this region. The potential risk of HLB emergence has increased concern in the Spanish and Portuguese citrus industries, which require novel methods for controlling/eradicating populations of T. erytreae that are environmentally sound under new pesticide restrictions from European Union authorities. Hence, psyllid rootstock feeding preferences could play an important role in pest management. Thus, different citrus rootstocks have been tested for feeding, oviposition, and survival of T. erytreae. This study reports that the most commonly used citrus rootstocks (Carrizo citrange and Citrus macrophylla) are the favorite choices for the development of T. erytreae, and by contrast Poncirus trifoliata is the least suitable for this insect vector.Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a vector of Candidatus Liberibacter spp., the causal agent of Huanglongbing disease (HLB). This study evaluates the preference of T. erytreae in different citrus seedlings. Thus, six different non-grafted citrus rootstocks were used for these experiments: (a) Carrizo citrange; (b) Citrus macrophylla; (c) ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin; (d) Forner-Alcaide No. 5; (e) Forner-Alcaide No. 517, and (f) Poncirus trifoliata (‘Flying Dragon’). The behaviour and survival of this psyllid was evaluated through the feeding preference of T. erytreae adults for different rootstocks (in a choice trial under greenhouse conditions) and oviposition and survival of T. erytreae adults on the different citrus material (in a no-choice trial under laboratory conditions). Trioza erytreae showed a clear preference for hosting and feeding on C. macrophylla, and Carrizo citrange was the most suitable rootstock for insect reproduction and survival followed by C. macrophylla. Conversely, Poncirus trifoliata was the least attractive rootstock to T. erytreae adults in the greenhouse trial and led to significantly lower T. erytreae survival. Our results suggest that conventional citrus rootstocks, such as Carrizo citrange and C. macrophylla, could increase T. erytreae populations.

European outbound tourism expansion on the islands of Cape Verde

The main objective of this article is to shed light on the determinants of international tourism demand expansion in Cape Verde. The research involves cointegration analysis to test the existence of a long-term equilibrium relationship between the variables included in tourism demand using the autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing approach. The results showed high income elasticity and price inelastic demand. Moreover, turmoil in traditional tourist destinations in non-European Mediterranean basin countries, coupled with the investments of tour operators and hotel groups who are key players in the European source markets, significantly and positively affected international tourism demand. Supply side changes associated with foreign investment were necessary to increase the number of tourists. Finally, lower level of income in European countries following the financial crisis of 2008 might have favored the shift of European tourists from more expensive destinations to Cape Verde. The concentration of tourism, economic growth, jobs creation, and population growth on two islands may have affected island communities, resources, and other aspects of inter- and intraisland relationships.

In Silico Investigation on the Interaction of Chiral Phytochemicals from Opuntia ficus-indica with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro

Opuntia ficus-indica is a cactaceous plant native to America but, nowadays, widely found worldwide, having been the most common domesticated species of cactus grown as a crop plant in semiarid and arid parts of the globe, including several Mediterranean basin countries. Opuntia ficus-indica can be regarded as a medicinal plant, being source of numerous bioactive phytochemicals such as vitamins, polyphenols, and amino acids. The urgent need for therapeutic treatments for the COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-Coronavirus (CoV)-2, justifies the great attention currently being paid not only to repurposed antiviral drugs, but also to natural products and herbal medications. In this context, the anti-COVID-19 utility of Opuntia ficus-indica as source of potential antiviral drugs was investigated in this work on the basis of the activity of some of its phytochemical constituents. The antiviral potential was evaluated in silico in docking experiments with Mpro, i.e., the main protease of SARS-CoV-2, that is one of the most investigated protein targets of therapeutic strategies for COVID-19. By using two web-based molecular docking programs (1-Click Mcule and COVID-19 Docking Server), we found, for several flavonols and flavonol glucosides isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica, good binding affinities for Mpro, and in particular, binding energies lower than −7.0 kcal/mol were predicted for astragalin, isorhamnetin, isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside, 3-O-caffeoyl quinic acid, and quercetin 5,4′-dimethyl ether. Among these compounds, the chiral compound astragalin showed in our in silico studies the highest affinity for Mpro (−8.7 kcal/mol) and also a low toxicity profile, emerging, thus, as an interesting protease inhibitor candidate for anti-COVID-19 strategies.

In silico Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analyses of SARS-CoV-2 in Mediterranean Basin

Background: The novel human coronavirus disease COVID-19 has become the fifth reported pandemic since the global spread of 1918 flu and counted as the first documented coronavirus worldwide spread in the history. The COVID-19 was initially considered as a respiratory disease, but SARS-CoV-2 can lead to cause other serious complications.
 Purpose: This study aimed to conduct phylogenetic analyses of the whole genome of SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated from infected humans in Mediterranean basin countries, Orf1ab gene, S gene, M gene, N gene and Orf3a gene sequences. In addition, the products of Orf1ab, S, M and N genes were also phylogenetically analyzed. Changes that occurred on the S-gene product of these SARS-CoV-2 strains were also detected.
 Materials and Methods: The whole genome of SARS-CoV-2 isolates, the genes and the gene products (Accessed July 20, 2020) were recovered in Mediterranean basin countries were retrieved from GenBank Database previously available in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) using BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) system. Analyses of these sequences were carried out using computer program MEGA6 software.
 Results: The Phylogenetic analyses showed that Bat coronavirus RaTG13 isolate is more closely related to SARS-CoV-2 isolates than Pangolin coronaviruse isolates. The S gene product of this virus mediates entry into the host cell and has S1/S2 cleavage site containing multibasic amino acid sequence (PRRAR) which is not detected in other closely related coronaviruses. Many coronavirus strains that deposited in GenBank, showed that they have PRR sequence in Orf1ab gene product. Conclusion: we conclude that part of multibasic S1/S2 motif acquired by recombination or insertion. Theoretically, any coronavirus strain acquired this sequence becomes highly pathogenic to humans. The dominant mutation (79.3%) at S gene product level was 614D→G. The impact of mutations detected in S gene product on virus transmission, diagnosis, pathogenicity and strategies of antiviral therapy, should be rapidly assessed in further studies.

Equitable mitigation to achieve the 1.5°C goal in the Mediterranean Basin.

The mitigation required to achieve the 1.5 °C goal of the Paris Agreement entails drastic emissions reductions. The mentioned goal is of special interest for regions like the Mediterranean where the average temperature is rising above the world average with the consequential risk for the future viability of its different ecosystems. The objective of this work is to analyze if the commitments of the Mediterranean Basin countries submitted under the Paris Agreement framework are in line with the 1.5 °C goal. For this analysis, the cumulative emissions of the current Nationally Determined Contributions of these countries until 2030, are compared with the result obtained from distributing the cumulative greenhouse gas emissions compatible with the 1.5 °C global mitigation scenario between 2018 and 2100. This distribution is obtained using the Model of Climate Justice that allocates the global emissions by using equity criteria (equality and responsibility) that take into consideration the historical responsibility for each country, in the period from 1994 to 2017. There are two main conclusions from the analysis of the NDCs. Firstly, it is concluded that the Mediterranean Basin countries, as a whole, are not in line with the 1.5 °C goal, because by 2030, 77% of the emissions budget that should be available until 2100, based on the equity criteria aforementioned, will already have been emitted. And, secondly, when the NDCs for each one of the countries are compared, some significant differences in the degree of ambition can be seen.

Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies New Candidate Markers for Somatic Cells Score in a Local Dairy Sheep.

In the Mediterranean basin countries, the dairy sheep production is usually based on local breeds, which are very well-adapted to their production systems and environments and can indeed guarantee income, employment, and economic viability in areas where production alternatives are scarce or non-existent. Mastitis is still one of the greatest problems affecting commercial milk production. However, genetic evaluation of mastitis is particularly difficult because of its low heritability and the categorical nature of the trait. The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions putatively associated with somatic cells count (SCC) in the local economically important Valle del Belice sheep breed using of deregressed breeding values (DEBV) as response variables. All the samples were genotyped using the Illumina OvineSNP50K BeadChip. Genome-wide association analysis was carried out based on regression of DEBV. A total of eight markers were found to be significantly associated with log-transformed SCC. Several candidate genes associated with SCC were identified related to immunity system and udder conformation. The results can help improving the competitiveness of the local Valle del Belìce breed. Further studies considering a higher sample size or independent population will be needed to confirm our results.

Perceptions regarding Distance Learning in Higher Education, Smoothing the Transition

This paper presents the perceptions on distance learning approaches, assessed through an online survey, using experimental design of ideas (Mind Genomics). Students and professors of higher education institutions who had not yet experienced distance learning before COVID-19 pandemic period participated in the study. The participants belong to the universities located in Mediterranean basin, e.g., Albania, Italy, Morocco, Algeria and few African countries. Results suggest that distance learning will shift many of the responsibilities formerly on the professors to those of the students. The data suggests the need for emotional support during this transition, specifically to maintain interaction among students and professor as well as among students themselves in distance learning platforms as in traditional classrooms. The study shows that the effectiveness and the interactivity of this new paradigm are very important and any further developments of distance learning should provide strong support for these components. The position of the professor is indispensable as the guide to the entire process, suggesting that at least at the time of this writing (2020) distance learning approach is perceived only to be an intermittent complementary path to in-person interactions.

A further investigation of the leishmaniosis outbreak in Madrid (Spain): low-infectivity phenotype of the Leishmania infantum BOS1FL1 isolate to establish infection in canine cells

Human leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is a zoonotic disease, with dogs as the main reservoir in Mediterranean Basin countries. The largest European outbreak of human leishmaniosis declared in the southwestern Madrid region (Spain) is characterized by unusual epidemiological and clinical features, such as the emergence of new wild reservoirs (hares and rabbits), whereas the seroprevalence, infection, and severity of canine leishmaniosis have not substantially changed since the first studies conducted in Madrid before the outbreak. Previous studies reported that L. infantum isolates from the Madrid leishmaniosis focus displayed elevated virulence in in vivo models of infection and increased infectivity in murine target cells. With the aim of studying whether changes in the host-parasite interaction and virulence profile have developed, we first assessed the behaviour of one circulating isolate of the outbreak, IPER/ES/2012/BOS1FL1 (BOS1FL1), compared to that of a well-characterized strain from canine leishmaniosis, MCAN/ES/1996/BCN150 (BCN150), in terms of infection capacity (percentage of infected cells, representing infectivity, and number of amastigotes per infected cell, representing the intensity of infection) in canine monocytes and macrophages. BCN150 displayed significantly higher infectivity (76.82 ± 4.40 vs 38.58 ± 2.19; P < 0.0001) and intensity of infection (3.64 ± 0.13 vs 1.83 ± 0.12; P < 0.0001) than BOS1FL1 when interacting with canine cells. Our ROS induction results did not differ significantly between the two isolates or with the responses previously described for other L. infantum isolates. Paradoxically, increased resilience to hydrogen peroxide exposure was observed for BOS1FL1 (% viability 40.62 ± 5.54 vs 26.37 ± 2.93; P = 0.039). Finally, we demonstrated that a decreased intracellular load of BOS1FL1 was associated with increased IFN-γ (261.21 ± 26.29 vs 69.80 ± 9.02; P = 0.0151) and decreased IL-10 production (165.06 ± 23.87 vs 264.41 ± 30.58; P = 0.0002). In this study, we provide the first detailed insight into the differences between the isolate BOS1FL1 from the outbreak in Madrid and the well-characterized strain BCN150 MON-1 obtained from a dog in their response to interacting with canine cells. However, further studies are necessary to shed light on the immune mechanisms resulting in BOS1FL1 exhibiting less virulent behaviour in canine cells than in cells derived from other host species.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of seroprevalence studies of West Nile virus in equids in Europe between 2001 and 2018.

There is some evidence that West Nile virus (WNV), which causes encephalomyelitis in equids, is an emerging disease in Europe. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyse seroprevalence studies of WNV in equids in European countries between 2001 and 2018. Two electronic databases, PubMed and Scopus, were searched for relevant publications published from 2001 to 2018 using predetermined keywords. A total of 1,484 papers were initially found. After applying the eligibility criteria, 39 papers were finally included in the systematic review. Analysis of 28,089 equids from 16 European countries revealed a pooled seroprevalence of 8% (95% CI 5%-12%, p<.001, I2 =99.3%) in Europe. The pooled seroprevalence was slightly higher in Mediterranean basin countries than other countries and when calculated for samples collected between 2001 and 2009 compared to 2010 to 2018. Differences in study design (e.g. sampling associated with recent outbreaks of WNV) contributed to a high degree of variability among studies. Further studies with harmonized study design and reporting of the results are recommended to better estimate and monitor European seroprevalence of WNV in equids.