Abstract:
The burden of WNV and association with neurological disease was identified
through syndromic surveillance in animals and humans using available
serological tools. WSLB virus was identified in two samples (an equine and a
bird) in South Africa for the first time since 2008. Additionally, ELISA’s were
developed testing for IgG and IgM antibodies in equines, humans, cattle, and a
species-independent assay for WNV and WSLB using the NS1 antigen, which
differs from the commercial ELISA’s available that targets the E protein. The
human WNV IgM and IgG ELISA showed very promising results, while the
equine WNV ELISA’s had quite high background and this could be due to the
different target antigen or the use of a baculovirus expressed protein with
commercial antibodies. The cattle WNV IgM ELISA also showed good results
and can possibly be implemented in the lab. The WSLB ELISA’s were only
developed and optimized with rabbit sera, since a clinical sample lacked
neutralizing antibodies for use in the assay. Unfortunately, the baculovirus
expression of the NS1 protein was unsuccessful.
