Experimental infection of common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) with West Nile Virus

Amir Steinman; Caroline Banet-Noach; Lubov Simanov; Nurit Grinfeld; Zachi Aizenberg; Ohad Levi; Dan Lahav; Mertyn Malkinson; Shimon Perk; Nahum Y. Shpigel

doi:10.1089/vbz.2006.6.361

Experimental infection of common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) with West Nile Virus

Amir Steinman, Caroline Banet-Noach, Lubov Simanov, Nurit Grinfeld, Zachi Aizenberg, Ohad Levi, Dan Lahav, Mertyn Malkinson, Shimon Perk, Nahum Y. Shpigel^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

The role of various reptilian species in the infectious cycle of several arboviruses is documented, but their role in that of West Nile virus (WNV) is uncertain. Common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) were infected subcutaneously with 10⁵ plaque forming units (PFU) WNV-Isr 98, five of nine snakes became viremic, and five exhibited persistent low levels of neutralizing antibodies. Four of the parentally infected snakes died and high titers of virus were found in multiple organ samples. In contrast, orally infected garter snakes did not become viremic, but viral RNA was detected in cloacal swabs. Since oral infection of predator birds by WNV is known, their ingestion of infected snakes may also result in their becoming infected.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	361-368
Number of pages	8
Journal	Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Volume	6
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2006.6.361
State	Published - Dec 2006

Keywords

Common garter snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
West Nile virus

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10.1089/vbz.2006.6.361

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title = "Experimental infection of common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) with West Nile Virus",

abstract = "The role of various reptilian species in the infectious cycle of several arboviruses is documented, but their role in that of West Nile virus (WNV) is uncertain. Common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) were infected subcutaneously with 105 plaque forming units (PFU) WNV-Isr 98, five of nine snakes became viremic, and five exhibited persistent low levels of neutralizing antibodies. Four of the parentally infected snakes died and high titers of virus were found in multiple organ samples. In contrast, orally infected garter snakes did not become viremic, but viral RNA was detected in cloacal swabs. Since oral infection of predator birds by WNV is known, their ingestion of infected snakes may also result in their becoming infected.",

keywords = "Common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, West Nile virus",

author = "Amir Steinman and Caroline Banet-Noach and Lubov Simanov and Nurit Grinfeld and Zachi Aizenberg and Ohad Levi and Dan Lahav and Mertyn Malkinson and Shimon Perk and Shpigel, {Nahum Y.}",

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AU - Banet-Noach, Caroline

AU - Simanov, Lubov

AU - Grinfeld, Nurit

AU - Aizenberg, Zachi

AU - Levi, Ohad

AU - Lahav, Dan

AU - Malkinson, Mertyn

AU - Perk, Shimon

AU - Shpigel, Nahum Y.

PY - 2006/12

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Experimental infection of common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) with West Nile Virus

Abstract

Keywords

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